What Would Jane Do?
The morning was a bright one. The sun all but shattered eyes as it danced across the surface to strike the Revenge. Hellion groaned as she stirred from the captain’s cabin, a hand at her forehead.
When she was able to open her eyes again, she saw Chance setting up the bar, humming a happy tune and dancing as she did so.
Chance looked up to see the Captain gazing at her. “Mornin’, Cap’n! Grand day has begun. Would ya like ta try me new drink? I call it Jane’s Common Sense. It be full a’ fruit juice and the dark spicy rum I know ya loves.”
“You named a drink after Lady Jane?” Hellion took the proffered tankard and sipped with appreciation. “A nice one, Chance! Why the honor?”
“Well, ya ‘member how I returned from me Orlando convention brimmin’ with success and confidence? Today, I be payin’ tribute ta the lady whose straight talkin’ ways and sureness set me on that course.” Chance tapped a button on her shirt. It sported a take on an oft bandied about faith based statement.
“What Would Jane Do?” Hellion chuckled. “How did that go over with the Lady?”
“Oh, she growled at me, but she were secretly flattered.” Chance smiled. “I follered me own advice and it made me braver, Cap’n. Ev’ryone needs a friend like Jane!”
Chances enthusiasm mad the Cap’n smile, it was truly contagious.
Aye crew, I be talking ‘bout the friends ya make as a writer. The ones who share yer successes, talk ya through the failures, pour the rum, share the chocolate. They read yer missives and offer sensible critique, whether what ya write be a normal part a’ their library or no.
I gots Jane. Who I met at the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in Pittsburgh, just last year. We both took the beginner writer’s course, met first through the bulletin board Judi McCoy set up. And we hit it off afore we met in Pittsburgh. I was feelin’ a bit peevish in Pittsburgh, first foray after me brush wit’ death and all. Jane and I, we both went home a bit overwhelmed, but stayed in touch.
I celebrated her success wit’ enterin’ contests, though found meself wonderin’ why she got all the nice judges! And she held me hand over the internet when I was crushed by ‘nother contest. She read me stuff. I read ‘er stuff. Neither of us is great at grammar, but we knew how ta talk ‘bout what was missin’ and we ‘elped each other out.
Jane-o and I, we don’t write the same stuff. We don’t read the same stuff. But we wanted ta be there, one ta the other. So’s we made it work. Havin’ different interests ‘elped us keep some distance. And so we worked tagether. And we played together. (Else why would I be wearin’ me red bad dog pajamas and a tiara ta the Saturday book fair?)
And in Orlando, we both got requests after pitchin’. I looked at an editor, sittin’ in a hallway and thought… “I can’t bother ‘er. She’s busy. But she said ta pitch ta ‘er wherever she be…” I looked at me button and read it. “What Would Jane Do?” And I walked over, asked ta pitch.
No, she weren’t interested, but it got me ready fer the agent pitch, minutes later. And it got me the name a’ another editor ta query. And it made me feel powerful. I had done what Jane would do. And it felt right. I went on ta other successes, sharing me new motto wit’ those I met.
Because Jane? She’s brave. She pushes forward, she politely finds her way till she be sittin’ ‘cross from famous authors at lunch, getting’ advice. Jane ain’t stymied by bein’ a newbie. As she say, we all starts somewhere. She’s gonna be famous one day. And there I’ll be, wit’ me pin, right next ta ‘er.
Sing the praise a’ yer partner, crew! Today be BFF day! Do ya have one like Jane? Will she let ya take ‘er picture without smirkin’ at the camera? I tell Jane-o, she gots ta learn how ta relax, ‘cause ‘er fans be wantin’ ta take ‘er picture one day.
Do ya have a critique partner that makes yer day? Someone yer able ta share the ups and downs a’ yer writin’? Or jus’ someone ya can talk books wit’ who understands the madness? Do they read or write what ya read or write? Do that ‘elp? Have they ever given ya advice that rings so true, ya feel like ya could touch the stars after readin’ how great yer next edit be? Share!
Books by the Crew
31 comments:
Hey Ho, Pirates! Jus' wanted ta let ya all know... I'll be skippin' in and out taday! Bear wit' me and please enjoy the new drink 'till I can make me way on board!
And Jane? Love ya!
I so appreciate my Vixens (Ely, Tiff and JK). When I pose the question, "Should he tie her up?" they are always good for the answer. Not only do they catch my typos but they help me brainstorm and are just plain 'there.' I somehow feel more responsible when I know I need to post my daily word count. It's great to share successes and frustrations with people who know exactly what you're going through. So yay for the Vauxhall Vixens, and Jane, and the Pirates!
PS, can I gush about you all or what? LOL!
I found the pirates two years ago and I couldn't ask for a more supportive group of ladies. :) They've read my stuff - sometimes on very short notice - for requests and contests, encouraging and prodding all the way, rum in hand.
:) You guys rock.
Jordan and I met a little over a year ago and she's been a huge help with making my writing more concise and with filling in holes in my plots. :) Invaluable and incredibly sweet and helpful, always, even when she thinks something is missing. She always insists on her awesomeness and I'm here to tell you she doesn't exaggerate.
Hal and I started working together in the fall when both of us were entering the GH. We read our stuff and found that we wrote about the same speed, think through plot and characters about the same way, and in general just mesh well. :) She's helped me work through every phase of my latest project and I couldn't keep plugging along without her constant support. We exchange stuff every week and her insights have made me better. And her way of saying what's wrong in a constructive way, well, it's always specific and kind. I'm so glad she agreed to work with me! :)
Add the vixens who've read for me and I'm blessed with a crowd of smart, supportive ladies who never give up and take no prisoners.
I love my crit partners (Ely, Maggie, JK). Couldn't go on day to day without seeing a message posted from them. Maggie's said it all. We are there to plot, to ask small q's, to point out the silly typos that always escape our eyes in our own work.
And when Maggie aske if he should tie her up... the answer was HELL YES! ;)
I'm taking a sick day so I'm commenting before I crawl back into bed. I've lost count of how many awesome people I've met since I hopped on this writing journey. From the original group on the EJ board who welcomed me with open arms back in '06 to some amazing authors always ready with an encouraging word.
But I have to say, I would probably still be just a reader if it hadn't been for Tiff's prodding after the Fanlit contest. She applies that amazing persistence she has for writing to all things and thankfully to pushing me into writing.
One of the things I've noticed about many of the top authors today is that often they were once a group just like us. I think success in this industry is greatly influenced by the people with whom you surround yourself. And with a circle including my fellow pirates, Vixens, Vagabonds, Originals, and my Vano chicks, I feel pretty damn good about my chances.
A toast to Jane-O! Top off your glitter and raise your hooha, this lady deserves a HUZZAH!
I swear I have the bestest cps in the world!
Chance, your post made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. So good in fact, I believe I can succeed in this crazy business. Guess I better get to writing.
Renee
I definitely have to concur with the posts above--the Vixens, the BBs, the Vagabonds, the Pirates--they have all been a great support group to me.
I think my button, though, would say: What Would Dee Do? *LOL* I remember sitting at a chapter meeting where Betina Krahn was giving a presentation, and I felt new and fradulent, and the published writer next to me made me feel more so. *LOL* But Dee, who sat across from me and was also published, quickly put the other author in her place--and then she befriended me. I thought it was amazing she thought I would be a valuable critique partner when I had never been published. However, I didn't let this bother me too long because I knew SHE would be a kick-ass CP and it was probably best to just run with it.
Dee and I would meet "halfway" between the two places we lived the first Saturday of every month. You always had to have something to present--it kept you writing--and I always learned something new about my writing. Dee always seemed to know my writing better than I did. And I know she knew my characters' motivations better than I did. *LOL*
Dee is the pillar of calm reassurance. It'll all work out just so long as you keep working at it and putting yourself out there.
I also have to give a shout-out to Julie and Vagi (Island Girl) and Irish, who are BB-ers, but also more...they're honorary pirates. I'd press-gang them into the crew if I could.
I loved meeting you and Jane at the conference! The two of you made me feel brave enough to sit and talk to big name authors like I just do it everyday! I'm working on finding my writing BFF - ask me again in a year and I hope to have a great answer for you!
Hugs,
Sabrina
Yes! Here's to all the BFFs out there, the CPs who read out stuff, weap with us when we get slapped around, bounce on the bed when life rewards us...or when we just plain are celebrating a better edit than the one before!
Huzzah!
Maggie, the answer is always yes! He should tie her up. My Jack chains Miranda up when she scares him, all the time! That way he knows she's always where he left her. Unless she found the lock pic.
Marnee...gush away. Jane-o helped me so much thru this last year, and made Orlando's RT so much more by the plannin'. I do hope she makes it to DC...along with me!
Tiffany - Yes! Hell, yes! Tie her up! I'm all fer the tyin' up...
I find the typo help be amazin'. The things we miss 'cause we be tellin' the story. Jane-o keeps me on the straight and narrow when it comes to expandin' (that don't sound right, do it...) Anyway, she helped make me sex scenes more sensual, less wham-bam. (Tho I like a good wham-bam now and then...)
Most of all, she believes in me. And nothin' goes further than that when it comes ta what a CP does fer ya!
Terrio - Try a Jane's Common Sense. It be full a' fruit juices ta 'elp wit' feelin' better. Sorry ya be under the weather...
I think ye be very right about the surroundin' yerself with the people who will fly with you. Not necessarily the 'right' people. It ain't about butt-kissing, but holding hands thru the stuggle. And being supportive.
Jane-o and I have discussion on building the platform so that ya be ready to take advantage a' the opportunities that rise before ya. Sort a' like bein' on the startin' blocks and not back in the locker room.
And bring everyone ya can wit' ya. They be yer peers. Not to mention they know all the stories and can entertain when yer both sittin' on panels.
I can imagine Jane-o and I sittin' on a panel. She rollin' eyes at me and tryin' ta keep me language in check. Me pokin' at her to release her inner pirate more.
But she be braver than me! So brave!
Renee -
Ain't it the truth! The right CPs make ya believe in yerself and believe ya can do it. Ya can make it in this business...
It ain't jus' about the editin' and the grammar 'elp and the plot 'elp. It's also the sharing of believe and strength.
Here's to Dee! And a What Would Dee Do? button!
I know, it sound corny, but the button really did give me courage. I watched Jane slide inta things in Pittsburgh that amazed me...and no one told her ta go away, or that she don't belong... All the things I imagined would happen ta me.
So, come Orlando, I was ready. Me philosophy of thinking 'bout what Jane would do worked well fer me. Worked more than well fer me...
I wish I could meet Jane-o and exchange writin' that way. Stead we do what we can on the computer. Tho if she don't get her Vista nightmare fixed...it gonna get harder!
Sabrina, yer CP is out there. Ya likely already know 'er...
It were lovely meetin' all ya newbies at RT.
Pirates...Lady Jane had the idea that she and I would put together goodie bags fer all the newbies taking Judi McCoy's class this year. We filled it with pens, pencils, clips, bookmarks, small tablets, chocolates, etc. A survival bag. We made up 30 of 'em and it were such fun ta give them out that first day of the Beginner's Writing Class. Surprised Judi, too! We were good pirates, and sneaky 'bout the whole thing.
I even made up a bookmark of all the acronyms that confused me the first year. The code, ya know...
Givin' back is the best feeling!
You all sound like a mutual admiration society today!
I can't believe that you all want him to 'tie her up.'
If it had been her to 'tie him up.' I might understand.
Could this be a Freudian slip? :?
A toast to Jane-O! Top off your glitter and raise your hooha, this lady deserves a HUZZAH!
Here here HUZZAH! :lol:
Chance, ye and Jane-o made everyone in our beginners class feel welcome in Orlando. Shoot, ye started doing that for me on the RT forum before I ever got there! I'm still so new to all of this that I'm green around me gills, but I can't wait to meet me very own Jane. In the meantime, I hope ye don't mind if I borrow yers occasionally. :-) Hugs to ye both! (Do pirates hug? I told ye I'm new to all of this!)
Helloooo, 2nd Chance where are you?? I know your on this ship somewhere! You can only hide so long. (Lady Jane peers behind the bar)when I find you..... Well You know a lady just cannot say!
WOW!!! I am truly humbled!! It is a rare find indeed when you come across that special person in your life that you can and want to share all your secrets with! I had such a person once in my life, after she passed away at 28, from cancer. I had sworn off friendships, until this pesky pirate came into my life and unless I find her and throw her overboard, she will forever be my best friend. I feel blessed to have her friendship, something I cherish each day! I am honored she would feel my encouragement in her abilities is something she values, she is a much stronger woman than she realizes! Thank you all on the revenge for the kind words and toast! I am for once at a loss of words! (hard to believe.) Lady Jane says with a sniffle, wiping the tears from her eyes. OK enough of that, now where is that dang 2nd Chance!!!!!
I have found there are amazing and talented people out there in the world of writers! I try everyday to learn from them. I hope someday I will be published, but until then, I feel fullfilled encouraging others to give it their all! Don't stop, don't let others allow you to fail. Just keep focusing on what brings you happiness, no matter what! I love to write and I love to read. But most of all I love the fact there are what a dozen people on this board, who on a daily basis offer someone, some form of encouragement! Those are true friends! those are the successful people in life, those are the people I want to be associated with! I dont always participate, but if I am feeling blue, I tend to hop over here and lurk, I want you to know I always leave with a smile! You are a great group! Thank You!
Wow I'm late today. i'm sick and just now dragged myself out of bed. I've had mixed experiences with CP's, which has taught me the value of finding one amazing one who writes the same way you do (notice I said that same *way*, not the same genre/style/etc *g*). Marnee has been amazing in her assistance on my current WIP. It's wonderful when you have someone who knows your plot, who knows where you want to head, and who, most importantly, sees your vision for what this project can be. Having someone who's *right there with you* is wonderful. It's almost like working on a team instead of alone :) So Marn, if I ever get published, I'm buying you some really cool present (like enough wine for us to go swimming in it or something! LOL!).
Hal - That's WHEN. WHEN you get published. Silly girl.
Jane L - Thank you so much for the sweet words. I always think of it as just us crazy wenches entertaining ourselves around here so it's always fun to hear from a lurker. By all mean, de-lurk more often!
I'm awake but I'll need a hot shower before I feel alive. Too bad 9 yr olds can't drive. I really don't want to go out to get that allergy medicine, but I guess I have to.
Thanks so much for posting this blog today, Chance. I have a bad habit of not thanking people often enough, so this is a good reminder for me.
Q - You realize you just gave Sin all the encouragement she needs to tie you to the mizzenmast, right? ;)
Hee, hee. Up here, hidin' in the crows nest, Jane!. Actually, just left the dentist, so feeling no pain on my right side. Pardon me if I drool. Where are those shamwows?
Jane-o, there be no more or less talented wit' the two of us. We jus' be different sorts of writers. But what is most important, is we believe in each other!
Judi lurked and said it was a hoot...btw.
Q - We all needs the day that amount ta nothin' much but thankin' and praisin' one and all. We gets enough a' the negative from the world about us. So, raise yer Mighty Mast and toast yerself, too!
Willie, Ya can borrow Jane. No breaking 'er. So ya be careful if'n ya take 'er out on the race track.
Pirates, Willie be one a' the newbies and she be a Viking lass. So take care a' her horned helmet and these things she called breeshes (sp?). Like some great pin, she tol' me... I fergets the details...
Hal? Ya gots some words ta wise on being careful 'bout choosin' a CP? Share 'em. I was certainly scared a' endin' up wit' someone that would read me stuff, pick it apart, steal it...hit me over the head wit' it... Ya name it, I imagined it.
I gets enough a' that from the contests I enter. I may keep enterin' jus' so's I can collect the scores and shove 'em in the air the day I be published.
We could all use some wine...btw.
Sin, when ya shows up, let's tie Q ta the mizzenmast, he obviously is wanting that... The monkey can sit on his head while we do it...
Aye, Terrio - When we all gets published.... NOT IF, but WHEN!
So, raise yer Mighty Mast and toast yerself, too!
*g* Chance, you do have a way with words!
Sin loves me. She wouldn't want to tie me up....would she? :oops:
Here's a toast to my Siren heroines:
"May your smiles last for ever and your enticement never cease"
Ah Men! :D
Awh, Hal! :) Ditto! And I would love a swimming pool of wine when you publish.
And I agree with Hal about picking/keeping CPs. I think meshing in how you write is way more important than meshing with what you write. Like she says, Hal and I both write in a similar style and we both write at about the same speed. We crit the same way too, to the heart of it - no pulling punches - but never harsh, I think.
Jordan's the same way. And we don't write the same stuff (Jordan writes awesome inspirational suspense novels). But I think that finding a successful CP pairing boils down to knowing how *you* write first. Then finding someone else who writes the same way. :)
I'm just lucky, I think.
Ooooh Q... Be a dear and assist me for a second. I've got knew restraints I'm dying to try out on you. I promise I won't bite. Hard.
*wg*
I must say that when I first started writing and didn't have a clue about the process or anything, there was this wonderful chicky who emailed me (and I still have the email) about how she loved everything about writing, but it would be even better if I'd actually read over what I wrote before I posted it. LOL
*crossing fingers* We've been like this ever since. So for my dearest Stace, this keg of mojitos is just for you babe.
To Lisa, who many nights before we started writing on the blog together, spent our nights head bent over the keyboards thinking about plot lines and what possibly we could get Ranger to do and still maintain some canon. Or nights when we've hopped IM's or rooms to talk about characters and writing ourselves into corners and just plain what position can we write about now.
Since then I've met a whole slew of ladies who are more brilliant than a thousand suns. Their encouragement and quick wit has kept me going when I would've given up. And their honesty is more than refreshing- sometimes its what you need to move on. To my pirates who are best wenches in cyber space... *tossing back a shot* I love ya.
There are lots of people to thank even though I don't take advice well.
Marn is smoking crack when she says I'm amazing. SHE is the amazing CP. She seriously taught me so much about even the most obvious stuff about writing romance and sexual tension—seriously, she set me free to become so much better. She has always been kind (and I had another CP reading the same stuff who took no thought for kindness, so I know that there was enough wrong with my work that she could have easily gotten snippy without meaning to).
I have another CP who I simply couldn't write on without having her read my work. It helps that her version of "brutally honest" is "I think we need to cut this line" or "I think this scene gives a Y vibe when it needs to be a Z vibe," and her cardinal rule for editing is "If I can't think of a way to do it better, maybe nothing's wrong with it."
Sometimes it helps to have someone who writes in the same or similar genres (I mean, I assume we all at least have overlap in the romance area here!), I think best of all is having someone who knows writing inside and out, who looks at not just the words on the page, but overall plot issues, and who wants your work to be so great that they can't NOT publish it. :D
*blushing* :) Jordan, you're the sweetest. You've helped me to say things just the right way. Sometimes I can be too wordy, sometimes I can fumble around the heart of the issue and you always point me back to the road. You're a godsend for the flakiness in me and I appreciate that.
And I agree, it is helpful to have people who write in the genre, at least to give you a feel for if you fit in with what's trendy. But it isn't necessary for the person who is right up in your business every step of the way, I don't think.
Aye, Q...I knew Sin would be wantin' ta try somethin' out wi' ya...
Sirens? *giggle
I think I jus' lucked out wit' Jane. Neither of us know all the rules, which is good. Encourages us ta jut' keep writin'... We'll figure out the rules as we go along...and when we need 'em. Not ta mention we'll find someone ta join our duo who do knows the rules.
Or we'll remake 'em ta suit us.
And thanks ta the crew a' the Revenge, who read me stuff and 'elped me set ta rights some POV problems, among other things. All parts a the writin' process...
And fer invitin' me ta blog wit' ya all. I learn so much jus' from the ladies....and Q!
Marnee...
Hmmm...oh yeah. Jane and I don't live each other's writin'... I read historicals because Jane writes them and the rest of ya have turned me on ta some awesome writers. I had nothing 'gainst them, simply didn't know where ta start!
Jane-o ain't a reader of paranormals...but she read my pirate paranormals. I think it 'elps that we don't write the same genre. Honestly, I don't think we write the same styles...
The spirit is willin' so we trudge over the differences ta find the common ground. Which be writin' in general.
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