Thank you for joining me today for my Writers on Writing series! Today we have Lily Stone talking about her writing life. Check out what she has to say. 
What is your brainstorming process for a new book?
I like to sit and daydream until I have a movie running in my head and I can picture the events happening. Once I have it all vivid and can see, smell, taste it, I’m ready to start writing. If I hit a bump or a snag, I do a lot of what-ifs to keep the momentum going.
Can you explain your typical work week day?
I sleep in as late as I can (which is usually until my husband starts banging around or running the vacuum cleaner—unfortunately, that’s often at 8 or 8:30 a.m.) I eat breakfast, maybe go for a walk if the weather’s nice, and check my email. By that time I’ve frittered away most of the morning. In the afternoon, I work on writing (for pay, not my fiction) or on my latest college course (I’m always signing up for classes). After dinner & another email check, I get down to serious writing. I do my best work after midnight—usually from 1-4 a.m. (the witching hour).
Tell us about when you made the decision to write.
I’m not so sure I made the choice. I think writing chose me. It’s always been more of a compulsion than a conscious decision.
What suggestions do you have for aspiring writers?
Exercise, travel, have fun. Don’t take life too seriously. Let yourself play. It’s the fun times that let the ideas flow. The horrible, sad, and overwhelming stuff will flow onto the paper more easily afterwards. Not sure why that is, but something about playfulness releases the flow of words.
If you get writer’s block, forget about the book. Stop trying so hard. Take a nap, a nice long one, even if it’s the middle of the day. You’ll wake up refreshed and ready to write. If that doesn’t work, ask yourself what you fear? What is it that’s scaring you about writing this particular part in the story? What don’t you want to face?
Tell us about what you’re working on right now and what we can expect from you in the near future.
I’m working on a YA set in Ming China. The book’s written, but the research is taking forever. I tend to get sidetracked and just enjoy myself as I learn about other cultures or ferret out details of professions or other areas of interest.
Wow that sounds great, Lily! So exciting to hear about a YA in Ming China. 
For those of you who want to know more about Lily, you can check out her info here. Thanks for joining me on Writers on Writing! Stay tuned for next week!
Archive for February, 2010
Writers on Writing: Lily Stone
Thursday, February 25th, 2010“THE BEWITCHED COWBOY” RELEASE DAY!!!!!!
Wednesday, February 24th, 2010
Yeaaaay!!!!! Break out the bubbly, have some cake, enjoy the great dance music, because it’s a book birthday party!! My debut novel, “The Bewitched Cowboy” has been released by “The Wild Rose Press!” You can check it out here.
Here’s the blurb for my book:
The last thing Matt expected his twin to tell him was that he had to marry the woman of his parents’ choice or suffer the loss of his powers.
Destiny, a PhD and successful parapsychology writer, certainly did not expect her mother to tell her that she would die if she didn’t get married to a man chosen for her in infancy.
The collision of two hardheaded, anti-marriage witches makes Destiny and Matt’s first encounter explosive. Now they have to figure out a way to get along for the two weeks they can’t be separated without doing the one thing that could change their fate forever…falling in love.
And here’s a never before seen excerpt! Something brand new for all of you to check out!!!
“Why is she here, Gabe? I told you I didn’t want her to come.”
“Matt, you know our parents have arranged this…we told you about Destiny already. We didn’t know where she was to let her know you weren’t exactly, uh, receptive to the idea.”
“And it’s not like I had a choice.” Destiny crossed her arms over her chest. “At least you get off easy. If you don’t want me, you lose your power. But me? I die. You get off easy, cowboy.”
Matt watched the woman’s face. She really did glow. And her eyes. People had told him his eyes were eerie. Strange. But on Destiny Snow, he felt compelled to stare. He was drawn to her and he hated himself for it.
“I’m taking a shower.” Matt walked by the woman, brushing against her. He bit down on the shock of electricity coursing through him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Destiny shiver.
“We’ll talk about this over dinner and then we’ll figure out how to get Ms. Snow and me out of this mess so someone can escort her back to town.” He pulled off his sweat-stained shirt and stormed off to the bathroom, slamming the door behind him. Once he was alone, he didn’t bother hiding his doubt as he stripped out of the rest of his clothes. After all, he didn’t want anyone to see him wonder whether or not there was truth to his brother’s claim. Was there no other way out of this other than losing the one gift he had come to depend on? The one gift he was cursed with?
I hope you’ll like the book! I read it for the first time in its “official” format yesterday and I saw two parts that could have been written WAY better, I saw four paragraphs where I repeat a word a gazillion times, and two grammar errors. I shouldn’t be telling you that stuff, of course, but it’s not like you guys aren’t going to find it anyway. Alas, my great friends informed me that they were too into the story to really catch them. I hope you’ll feel the same way!
Now, to the good stuff. To celebrate the release of my first book ever, I’m hosting a contest! Yeaaaay!!!! In order to enter the contest, you have to leave a comment on my blog answering these three questions:
1. What is your favorite part of the story?
2. What is the name of Matt’s horse?
3. What happens when Destiny is sad/upset?
In order to understand these questions you have to read the book, of course. So, I’ll be picking three lucky winners! The first winner will be chosen on Friday, the second on Monday, and the third next Wednesday.
What’s the prize, you ask? *drum roll please* Friday’s winner will get five awesome paranormal books from some of my favorite authors who have inspired me. *Cheering ensues* Monday’s winner will get a book about different wines and a guide to Napa Valley. *more cheering” Wednesday’s winner will get a 10 dollar gift certificate to Starbucks! *screams*
I’ll put names in a hat for all the people who comment and I’ll pick one lucky winner on each of these days. So don’t forget to put your name in for a chance at getting an awesome prize!
Thanks again for being a part of my release day. Let the partying continue!!!
Release Week for “The Bewitched Cowboy”
Monday, February 22nd, 2010
Yeay!!! It’s finally here! My book, “The Bewitched Cowboy” is set to release day after tomorrow, on February 24th by ‘The Wild Rose Press’! I have a bunch of stuff planned this week that I’m totally excited about.
Tomorrow, I’ll be guest blogging on Autumn Jordon’s blog! She’s a great friend and a fabulous writer. Her book “Obsessed by Wildfire” was just released by The Wild Rose Press, too! On Autumn Jordon’s blog, I’ll be answering some questions about brainstorming, and workshops so be sure to check it out!
On Wednesday, I’ll be hosting an online birthday party on my blog right here! I’ll be posting another excerpt from the story and an exciting contest where I’ll be picking a lucky winner for a prize. You guys will love it, I’m sure.
On Thursday, I’ll be guest blogging on Kathleen Coddington’s blog and talking about arranged marriages which plays a big role in my story. You can check out her website here, as she’s a multi-published author with fabulous books as well. Be sure to check it out!
On Friday, I’ll be picking my lucky contest winner and announcing my second contest so you’ll have another opportunity to win an awesome prize! This time, I’ll be picking the winner the second week of March since the contest involves reading the book.
Really exciting stuff, right? Make sure you stay tuned all week! It’s going to be great. For those of you who are hearing about my book for the first time, here’s the summary and excerpt of “The Bewitched Cowboy.” I can’t wait!!!!!
Book Summary
The last thing Matt expected his twin to tell him was that he had to marry the woman of his parents’ choice or suffer the loss of his powers.
Destiny, a PhD and successful parapsychology writer, certainly did not expect her mother to tell her that she would die if she didn’t get married to a man chosen for her in infancy.
The collision of two hardheaded, anti-marriage witches makes Destiny and Matt’s first encounter explosive. Now they have to figure out a way to get along for the two weeks they can’t be separated without doing the one thing that could change their fate forever…falling in love.
Excerpt
Destiny’s voice was thick and sluggish with sleep. “How can you not believe I’m your other half after everything that happened today, cowboy?”
Matt smiled into the crown of her hair. Her question bothered him, but he didn’t think he could hide the truth from her. He didn’t want to. Despite everything, he wanted to be honest.
“It’s not that I don’t believe in bonding. I just don’t want anything to do with it or marriage. The last time I got involved with helping someone find the person they loved…bad things happened.”
Destiny looked up at him, her face close to his as she continued to rest against his chest. “Sometimes, you can’t stop life from going the way life was set to go.”
“You can’t stop ‘destiny,’ huh?” Matt knew he sounded rueful, but he couldn’t help respecting her for her answer. For someone who reacted so intensely to any reminder of her mother, she didn’t carry any guilt or blame anyone for her difficult life.
“What are we going to do for the next two weeks?” Destiny said, yawning. “We can’t be away from each other, apparently. Leaving you doesn’t feel…right.”
Matt knew saying that must have taken courage. He didn’t want her to know how close he already was to her. How panicked he felt. Was Destiny really the other half of his soul? He took a deep, ragged breath.
“Have you ever ridden a horse, Dr. Snow?”
“No.”
Matt smiled at the dry tone in her voice. “Well you’re going to have to get a crash course in riding, I guess.”
“In your dreams, cowboy.”
Matt smiled as he wrapped Destiny against him more firmly. Holding her this way calmed him, and that was what scared him the most.
RWA National Conference 2010
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
I’ll be at the 30th annual RWA national conference in Nashville! It’ll be held the last week of July at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel.
This year, I’ll be giving a workshop titled “Goal, Motivation & Conflict in the YA Novel.” Come join me and hundreds of other authors to celebrate writing and the romance genre!
Writers on Writing: Christine Columbus
Thursday, February 18th, 2010
Today we have author Christine Columbus joining us to talk about her writing life! Check out her story, which includes everything from brainstorming in the shower, to her high school boyfriend telling her that she’ll be a writer. Enjoy!
What is your brainstorming process for a new book?
You know how there are people who sing in the shower. Well, I brainstorm in the shower. Which is why I’ve written mostly short stories-I live in Minnesota and only have a 40 gallon water heater.
Can you explain your typical work week day?
I get up at 5 o’clock in the morning, Hoola Hoop for 10 minutes; make a cup of coffee and crawl back into bed with my laptop. I write until 6:30 am and then hustle to get ready for the pesky day job. Late in the evening I crawl back into bed with a cup of decaf and my laptop and write a little more.
Tell us about when you made the decision to write.
I am 50 years old and have always written. A couple instances stand out in my mind that solidified that decision…in high school my boyfriend said to me…you’re so lucky you know exactly what you’re going to do.
I stared blankly at him, at seventeen I didn’t have a clue. “What?”
“You’re going to be a writer,” he said.
A writer. I was going to be a writer. I had almost forgotten.
He said, “Promise me you’ll always write with your own name.”
“Sure, but why?” I asked.
“Because someday when I am at the grocery store and am waiting to check out and I look up and see a novel with Christine Columbus on it, I’ll know you wrote it.”
Of course being 17, instead of being thrilled my heart was pounding. Who was he going to be with at the grocery store? Why wouldn’t he be standing next to me? My hands clenched. I thought we were going to be together forever and he was already planning a future without me. I’d be writing best-selling novels and he’d be grocery shopping.
We broke-up shortly after that…got back together…broke-up…etc., but in the end…he was right. I am writing novels and I’m certain he’s somewhere grocery shopping and I have no idea who he’s with.
And when I was in my late 30’s and was at school with my son, a parent walked up to me and asked what I did. Before I could answer I was a clerk at a utility company my son said, “My mom is a writer.”
I smiled and nodded. Yes, I am a writer…even if other people have to remind me.
What suggestions do you have for aspiring writers?
Live your dream. Write.
Thanks, Christine! Great answers! For those of you who want to know more about Christine, you can check out her website here. Her next book, “The Perfect Country Western Story” released on the fifth of this month! Yeay!!
Thanks again for joining us with writers on writing! Until next week!
TV Guide: What are you going to miss?
Saturday, February 13th, 2010
It’s that time of year again when all the amazing fall season shows take a hiatus and don’t come back until March, and then take another hiatus and don’t come back until August. I hate this hiatus business. All of my favorite shows are AWOL until March/April: Glee, NCIS, NCIS: Los Angeles, and Bones. Crap. I seriously don’t know what I’m going to do with myself! I am not picking up Vamp Diaries again, that’s for sure. I left off with a few episodes left and I just read the spoilers for the remaining episodes. Nuh Uh. I am not going there. TOO MUCH DRAMA for me. I like mini episode archs and very subtle large series arcs. That is so more my style. Anywho. We have some stuff to look forward to once March/April shows start again. Ready? Here we go.
Glee: We get to see if Shu’s wife and Shu are really getting separated. If Shu is going to end up with our favorite guidance counselor and what songs the Gleeks are going to sing for the upcoming state’s competition. I heard there will be tons more singing involved. Yeaaay!!!
NCIS: Is anyone else curious about what is going on with Ziva and Tony? Because hints were dropped. Very large hints. And then they toned down to nothing again. And now there is this new guy who is rediculously sexy. What is going on with that? Oh, and then there is the viper bitch who wants Gibbs. I hate her. She is so irritating! Lawyers can totally be sanctioned for some of the stuff she’s pulled on the show. Believability people!
NCIS: Los Angeles: This show has totally gotten better. Very happy with it. I want to know what has happened to Dom. I want to know what has happened to Kensi’s dad. And I want to know if Callen will ever get a love interest. Mhm. So intriguing now. Nice job, Shane Brennan. Nice job.
Bones: This is the show I’m most worried about. We will start back up with the Bones 100th episode which goes back in time to the first case Booth and Brennan ever solved together. Revisiting old memories apparently changed the dynamics of their relationship and then the viper bitch who is the attorney in NCIS guest spots as Booth’s new love interest. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I don’t know if I can type it any louder. Totally not supposed to happen! Stoooopppppp!!!!!!!!!! I think we need a little more something from Booth and Brennan otherwise fans like me will go psycho bitch on people.
But until then, I am left with re-runs of shows that I really don’t want to watch. Grr. I might have to pull out my old Buffy DVDs and go through each episode again…and then follow up with Sex and the City. Sigh. Hopefully something interesting will come on in the interim!
Be good! <3Tess
