Diva Jefferson

Hi Readers,
Welcome to another segment of my Wreck This Journal series.

I am so glad you can join me.
Here are the completed selections for this week:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Funnel Fail!

 

 

 

Thanks for reading!

Happy writing!

Hi Readers,
Thank you so much for stopping by! I haven't written a blog in a LONG time, but I want you all to know I haven't stopped writing or dreaming and I am still here doing what I love. My daughter is getting bigger and bigger before my eyes and I can barely remember how the time fled so quickly.

I am trying an artistic experience where I post pictures of my Wreck-It Journal entries. You will see how I am expressing myself and I hope this gleans some inspiration for me. Destroying this said journal is supposed to be a sort of therapy and it is known to give some clarity in the artistic journey a person embarks upon.

So, here goes...

Have you ever used a journal or dream book to find inspiration? Let me know in the comments below.

Until next time.

Happy writing!

Good day, Readers. I apologize profusely for the immense delay in posting an update! Oh, what am I kidding? My real self is a mother of an incredibly smart and beautiful little 10 month old girl. I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss everyone, though. It seems that everyday is a new adventure in my life. Whether I write or not, nothing is ever as it seems! I do try my best. It is the only thing I can do...TRY!

I don't have a theme for this post. I had a wonderful idea to write about, but I forgot it in all the turmoil! I've been slowly getting back into what I started almost a year ago. I'm working on more material, querying agents, and reading blog posts again! These things take time. Although, I have even less now, I'm trying to make the best of it. A daily schedule is in order!

This is my story. Okay. Maybe not the whole story, but you get the gist.

Never give up. No matter how long it takes you to get there. Life is a journey, not a destination. I think I've epitomized that phrase a thousand times over.

Thanks for reading. Happy writing!

Lately, I've been stretching my writing muscles through different genres. Sometimes the best way to learn something knew about the art of writing, is to experience. Of course, the science fiction project I worked on was no where near as well-organized as my romance, but it was so much fun.

Right now, I'm in the middle of reading a young adult series called "The Mortal Instruments" by Cassandra Clare, that is more urban fantasy than anything else. Think Supernatural meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Pure awesomeness. If you haven't seen the upcoming movie trailer, then I would encourage you to do so here:

I might be behind in the game, since the first novel came out in 2007, but I've realized two things while reading these books:

A) Ms. Clare is an exceptional romance writer,










and B) Any writer/artist who can create a whole new world and people through pure imagination or experience deserves kudos.












Here are the major fiction genres and what an author can learn from each:

• Action and Adventure = Writing plotlines that carry throughout the book.
• Chick Lit = Writing good characters around one person.
• Children's and Picture Books = Writing meaningful prose in a small amount of space.
• Commercial Fiction = Having good sentence structure, vocabulary, and pacing for easier readability.
• Contemporary
• Crime = Weaves suspense and plot along with the main character's views.
• Erotica= Writing passion that sizzles on the page.
• Family Saga = Weaving sub- and main-plots throughout the story that could lead to a series.
• Fantasy and Dark Fantasy = Creating worlds from nothing or using real-life places as backdrops for creativity.
• General Fiction = Writing with many genres at once to create the world that is envisioned.
• Graphic Novels = Turning pictures into words or vice versa (except most of us do this in our heads).
• Historical Fiction = Making your research show on every page.
• Horror = Writing to place fear or terror into the reader, both conscious and subconscious, so they keep turning the pages.
• Humor = Creating a more entertaining dynamic for your story.
• Literary Fiction = Writing an adventurous plot that is well-thought out and meaningful to the reader.
• Military and Espionage = Writing with a focus on plots with a high-level of action.
• Multicultural and Gay/Lesbian = Writing diverse characters who overcome emotional obstacles.
• Mystery = Weaving clues into the story that lead to a surprise ending.
• Religious and Inspirational
• Romance = Weaving a storyline in between two characters who must have a happy ending.
• Science Fiction = Writing with a focus on futuristic technology and making it affect the characters around it.
• Short Story Collections = Making a story believable and entertaining in a short number of pages.
• Thrillers and Suspense = Weaves suspense and tension throughout the story without losing pace.
• Western = Focusing on one element to make the whole.
• Women's Fiction = Writing physical and sometimes emotional obstacles for characters to overcome and to unify their experiences toward the end. 
• Young Adult = Writing from the perspective of a teenager and how they see the evolving world around them.

Happy Writing!

Hello, Readers. Sorry about another belated post, but there is so much going on! Between querying agents and working on the final edits for The Earl's Son, I only have time to write one a month, but I hope to offer invaluable advice nonetheless.

Anyways, this time we are talking about conferences. I have never been to one, but sometime in the future (as my writing career hopefully grows) I'll be able to see what all the hubbub is about. :)

From what I've researched online and read through other writers' blogs, here are the pros and cons of conferences:

Pros:
1) Pitch your work directly to agents and publishers.
2) Meet fellow writers and make new friends.
3) Attend workshops and activities to help you grow as a writer.
4) Meals are included in the registration fee.

Cons:
1) Rejection in person can hurt worse than over email or phone.
2) If you don't know anyone there, it might be hard to step forward and introduce yourself to a room full of strangers.
3) Sometimes the workshops are only catered to a specific genre or specialty, so they might not be beneficial to you.
4) Cost could become too high when factoring in travel distance as well as the hotel bill.

Of course, some people will swear by them, while others think it is a waste of time. The choice is really yours. If you have the money to spend, and the right agent or editor is waiting for you there, then by all means have a great time.

I think the biggest mistake people make is going to a writing conference because everyone else is. Some writers (gasp!) thoroughly enjoy socializing with others. I think you should attend as a benefit to your career. Nothing says dedicated like dropping $500 and flying cross-country to see a friend you haven't talked to in a year!

As always, thank you for reading.



Happy writing!

Dear readers, thank you for sticking with me through everything. As I write more query letters for agents and  fine-tune the synopsis for editors, I cannot help but notice how little is posted about the latter. What is it about the synopsis that scares writers? The best way to get over the fear is to write it first. If you know the plot of your story, then you should have no problem dishing out the details. I think it even works better than an outline in some cases.

Remember: The synopsis isn't a sales blurb, neither should it leave the reader in suspense. So, when writing a synopsis, tell all.

So, we all know a synopsis is a description of the best parts in our books, but did you know there are different kinds? Have you ever wondered what the difference between a brief synopsis and a full synopsis is?

A brief synopsis is a detailed description in present tense usually 350-450 words and between 1-2 pages long. Don't confuse this with a "brief summary" which is better known as a pitch. 

A short synopsis is a detailed description in present tense usually two to ten pages long, and five pages at the most.

A full synopsis is a detailed description in present tense of the whole book with each page representing a whole chapter or one synopsis page for every twenty-five manuscript pages.

The most popular request I've seen from editors/agents is a brief synopsis of about 1-2 pages. This doesn't mean you shouldn't write a longer one. Sometimes the best way to choose the best lines is seeing a bigger picture of your work, a broader landscape.


Here are some synopsis writing tips for fiction writers:

• Take one step at a time. 
• Read through each page of your manuscript and write a summary of each chapter or so on.
• Look for themes and symbolism as you read.
• Take out the most important plot points and characters, anything that moves the story forward, and put them in the synopsis.
• Capitalize the main character's names the first time they are mentioned in the manuscript.
• Double space like you would your manuscript.
• Write to entice the reader. Think: Hardcover book jacket blurb meets enthusiastic movie description.
• Write in present tense, third person.
• Edit, edit, edit.
• Remove as many adverbs and adjectives as possible and replace them with action.
• And please don't leave the reader in suspense.

(For more information about these tips and more, please visit: How To Write A Synopsis by Marg Gilks and Writing A Synopsis by The Literary Consultancy [TLC])

Writing a synopsis can be a scary endeavor, but anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

I look forward to seeing you all on St. Paddy's Day for an Irish recipe and a giveaway!
What better way to celebrate the one year anniversary for the release of To Love An Irishman by Diva Jefferson? Take care.



Happy writing!

Dear readers, I apologize for a late post. As you must know, this year is the 25th anniversary of "The Phantom of the Opera" (POTO). Yes, you heard me right. The Andrew Lloyd Webber sensation inspired from the book by Gaston Leroux. I am a huge 'phan', and I'm not even a big theatre buff. Okay, maybe a little bit. Like every little girl in her high school chorus class, I've dreamed of playing Christine on Broadway. Of course, I traded singing lessons for rent money, and now I can't sing nearly as well as I did seven years ago, but it's the thought that counts, right?

Anyways, I inevitably owe my inspiration to start writing to this wonderful musical. My Nana first told me about the Phantom in the '90s. She took me to the downtown theatre house and we would watch plays together: Dr. Jekyl/Mr. Hyde, Beauty and the Beast. But Phantom never came to Florida and my hope at ever getting to New York to see it dwindled. In 2004, the POTO movie came out and I got to see what my grandmother admired so much in a musical. In short, I became obsessed.

Opening night casting call: January 26th, 1988. Steve Barton (Raoul), Harold Prince, Michael Crawford (The Phantom), Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Sarah Brightman (Christine).

(In case you didn't know...The Phantom of the Opera is a Victorian romance set in the Paris Opera House where a young singer, Christine, is encourage to become a star with the help of an angel of music--The Phantom--who falls desperately in love with her. But she cannot return his affection, because she has feelings for another.)

If I could not see the Broadway play in New York or sing as Christine, then I would do the next best thing, writing a story inspired by POTO. :)

My friend encourage this behavior by lending me a book called, "A Rose In Winter" by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss, which became my favorite book. Since it contained a masked, reclusive hero and a headstrong, talented heroine, I couldn't help but fall in love. My very first novel titled, "The Phantom of Fonthill Abbey" (with working title, "The Earl's Redemption" and Book #1 in the Victorian Redemption series) is a story of redemption, love, and betrayal. Sound familiar? William Kendall, the fourth Earl of Wiltshire, is the phantom of Fonthill Abbey. He is scarred from his past, and full of love just waiting to be given to someone worthy who comes along like his future wife, Elizabeth. In my novel, Christine ends up with the Phantom as I've always wished. :)


Here is a tribute to all the Phantoms who took every woman's heart year after year:

Michael Crawford (The first Phantom.)

Howard McGillin

Hugh Panaro (The current NYC Phantom.)

John Cudia

Cris Groenendaal

Mark Jacoby

Kevin Gray

Marcus Lovett

Davis Gaines

Steve Barton

Timothy Nolen

Brad Little

Jeff Keller

Ted Keegan

Gerard Butler (From the 2004 film.)

Gary Mauer

A final note from the author:

Inside the Majestic Theatre, waiting for The Phantom of the Opera to begin.

Now, if you've continued this far into my post (in which, I hope you have enjoyed the Phantoms), I would like to share with you my experience in 2010 at the Majestic Theatre in New York.

Pandora Gray (left) and her friend (right) outside of the Majestic Theatre, NYC.

Nothing compared to seeing the show in person. I waited so many years to see it...and this is proof that dreams do come true...eventually. :)







Thank you for reading, sharing in my experience, and learning through my past.



Happy writing!