I've moved

Just a quick note to let you know I've moved this blog over to my new website. Catch up with me there, and drop me a line to let me know what you think. I'd love to hear from you!

SuperGuestStar

Drop by writer Ian Healy's blog for my guest post on showing v. telling. Can you find my typo? (unless he's fixed it for me by now) :).

Contract!!

I'm excited to say I signed with Written World Communications for my historical novel, CHILDREN OF LIGHT! The book is tentatively scheduled for a November release.

Check back in for more details and more information about the novel.

Uh, yeah . . .

I'm still here. Really, I am.

Okay, so I've left off writing the Bad Mom column. You can still find it archived on the New Christian Voices website. Though I enjoyed writing some 70-80 columns and various articles for NCV, I no longer had the time to devote to it if I wanted to get my fiction in shape.

It was enormous fun adding rich historical detail to Children of Light. Especially enlightening were the pig butchering videos I watched on YouTube. :) But it's finished now, and sent off to my agent, Terry Burns of Hartline Literary, who will tell me if, indeed, it's good to go.

And I learned something along the way . . . besides how to butcher a pig, that is. I learned that I LOVE writing historicals. I love the research. I love bringing another time period to life. I've dabbled in writing contemporary stories, and will likely finish another manuscript in the near future. But, dadgummit, I'd forgotten how fun writing historicals is for me.

That is all. Carry on.

Iron Gall Ink

That's what I worried over at 1:15 this morning. "I'll come to bed when I figure out what iron gall ink smells like," I told my husband.

After weeks of introspection, prayer and rest, I've decided to rework my novel "Children of Light." I wasn't going to do it. I'd finished with it, have an agent shopping it, and felt ready to move on.

But the truth is that I've had consistent critique that highlights a few major weaknesses in the manuscript. I think it's a really great story. A compelling tale. And it deserves to be told right.

So I'm delving back into the middle ages--the 13th century to be precise--and I'm having a grand time doing it.

I'm also slowing down my freelance work. Yes, I'm still writing Bad Mom, and that's fun, too, but I know that for right now, historical fiction is where my heart lies.

Did I find out what iron gall ink smells like? Not really. Bitter was as close as I got. But I'm not finished yet. :)

Sirius Satellite Radio Interview

I know I'm a little late with this news, but last Tuesday, May 26, I was interviewed on FamilyNet's "Mornings with Lorri and Larry" Sirius Satellite Radio program. For about another week you can still catch the podcast of my interview, which focused on my humorous parenting column, Bad Mom. Click here to find the podcast link. From there, you'll need to click on the small pink "itunes" button.

Why Start Twittering?

I've been on the social networking site Twitter for some time now, and am only beginning to get active. To be honest, it's challenging for this busy mom, teacher and writer to stay on top of everything as I transition to full time freelance work. And the freelance work is an effort to sustain my fiction-writing habit.

So, what's the point of Twittering?

Michael Hyatt, CEO of Thomas Nelson Inc., lays out the reasons very nicely in his blog.

In short, I like that Twittering gives you an opportunity to rub shoulders with people all over the world who 1) think like you do, or 2) don't think like you do. Either is great. And you can share tips, funnies, insights and frustrations in 140-character bites. In this fast-paced world, that's a bonus.

If you decide to become a Tweeter, you can follow me here. Be sure to check out my humorous Bad Mom column on the subject of Twittering.

Amarillo Parenting Teenagers Examiner

I'm the new Amarillo Parenting Teenagers Examiner attached to the Dallas Examiner website.

I'm writing articles of local, state and national interest, like "Five sane tips for responding to swine flu."

And what is an Examiner?

From the Examiner.com website:
"Launched in April 2008, Examiner.com serves 60 major markets across the country and is quickly becoming the premier online brand for local information and events. We are a division of the Clarity Media Group, owned by the Anschutz Company, one of the largest media companies in the country.

Our content is contributed by passionate, informed people known as Examiners. Examiners are people in your community with a common desire to share their knowledge and expertise with others."

So check out my articles and pass them along if you like them. I'd love to hear from you, too. You can post a comment on my homepage or send an e-mail to me at examinercaron@gmail.com.

Interested in writing for Examiner.com yourself? Visit my homepage and check out the "Write for Us" tab.

Plotting

As a middle school teacher, I'm thoroughly enjoying Spring Break this week. It's been a joy to avoid math for the past seven days. Of course, I always avoid math on school breaks, weekends, and after 4 pm weekdays.

Instead, I've been on a couple of hikes in our local Palo Duro Canyon and spent yesterday on a ranch hike near Pampa, TX.

In between, I've been plotting and researching a new novel. Two new novels actually. In addition to the mainstream piece I'm fleshing out, I'm also collaborating with my writing buddy, Val, on a romantic suspense novel. We made great progress while hiking yesterday and afterward, while splitting a burger and drinking milkshakes at Braum's. Haven't had one of those in a while, though you wouldn't know it to look at me.

News update #1: A program on Sirius Satellite Radio wants to interview me concerning my weekly Bad Mom column. The column's been attracting the attention of mommy bloggers and various media lately. Especially my "25 Random Things That Make Me Feel Like a Bad Mom" piece. I'll let you know if/when the interview is scheduled.

News update #2: Apparently I didn't place in the Amazon contest after all. I received a note from them that said, in summary: "Whoops, you didn't even make the 2,000. Our mistake. But here's a $5 coupon to take your mind off the fact we're trampling your pride." Clearly, my pride is easily bought. ;-)

Upward and Onward

Though I apparently made the top 2,000, I didn't make the top 500 in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition this year. And for some reason, I don't feel bummed about it.

Maybe that's because my editor at New Christian Voices had some very awesome and encouraging things to say about me yesterday, my agent is sending my proposal off to another publishing house, I'm working out the plot for a new novel that I'm very excited about, and I'm talking collaboration with my friend Val who is a great writer.

I'm also very happy for my friend Travis Erwin, who did make the top 500 in the ABNA competition. He's also a terrific writer and friend.

Let's Connect

Hey, folks,

I've been on Facebook and Twitter for a while now, but must admit I spend much more time on Facebook. At any rate, I'd like to invite you to connect with me in either location. Or both.

Just let me know you found me via this blog.

In the meantime, I'm awaiting the announcement of the quarter-finalists for the 2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition. Last year I made the top 100 semi-finalist round out of 5,000 entrants. This year, they were taking up to 10,000 entries, but I only decided to enter at the last minute, so my chances are slim . . .

But still, it's all fun.

On a Roll

Last night I finished another chapter in my current novel-in-progress actually titled A WORK IN PROGRESS. Granted, it was only the second chapter I've written in a month, but after several weeks of stalling as I tried to figure out where to go next, I'm pretty happy about it.

Here's a sneak peek at a line from the latest chapter:

"If I could fake the confidence to redefine my life, then you better believe I was going to fake a delicious shade of brunette."

What Next?

My novel CHILDREN OF LIGHT has received a lot of positive feedback and placed well in Amazon.com's international competition earlier this year, but the truth is that I haven't found a place for it in today's market.

Medieval novels are hard to place--especially in the Christian market, which CHILDREN is well-suited for. So I'm wondering what to do next.

Keep plugging along with it?

Shelve it until a more opportune time?

Serialize it on it's own blog, and let people read it for free, building a fan base?

I don't know, but in the meantime, I keep working on the next novel. I mean, it's only one story, right? I have dozens to tell.

Touching Them: Zimbabwe

Dusty gravel crunched beneath my sandaled feet when I stepped out of the truck at the Rukweza orphan feeding station in the heart of Zimbabwe, but I hardly noticed for the pounding of my heart. Joy and deep compassion crowded around me along with 117 children who, one-by-one, offered their hands in greeting. It was my first visit to a feeding center.

And it took my breath away ...

ACTION! newsletter published an excerpt of my article--Touching Them: Zimbabwe--in their September issue. To read the full story, visit http://caronguillo.blogspot.com/

Style Manuals

As a novelist, I've learned to consult my thick copy of Chicago Manual of Style, but now that I'm writing for New Christian Voices--and doing a bit of editing online as well--I'm diving into AP style.

Wow! There are a lot of minute differences between the two, so I'm having to stay alert.

But that's okay, because I'm committed to being a professional. And professionals aren't stubborn or sloppy.

What are you doing to pursue professionalism in your writing? (And can you tell which style I'm using in this blog?)

Back to It

Well, it's been a brutal summer--in fact, it seemed like no summer at all--but God faithfully saw me through, and now I'm hitting my stride again.

A middle school math teacher by day, I'm back at it with some 120 students and three different preps.

But on the writing side, I'm continuing with my weekly BAD MOM column, with a plan to mix in a little editing work from time to time. I also have a new essay on NCV, so hop over and take a look.

Last week I joined a new critique group, which will help discipline me to keep working on that novel I'm 80+ pages into. During the regular school year, I try to be at my computer by 5:30 am for an hour of writing before work.

I'd love to hear from you. What kinds of dreams are you pursuing in the midst of your everyday life?

The Glamorous Life of Writing

I've always been a bit puzzled by authors who prefer to write in the middle of a busy cafe, or some such nonsense. Not me. I need alone time, and lots of it.

Which is kind of funny when you consider that my life offers very little in the way of solitude. The best I can do is get up early, though I really don't like to do that either. Nevertheless, at least during the school year, I can wedge in an hour in the a.m., but at sixty minutes, I'm only getting started.

Lately, however, it doesn't seem to matter when or where I try to write. There have been so many serious and real-life thoughts occupying my mind that there's not much room for creativity.

I did have an interesting insight today, though. Sometimes I can find solitude at unexpected times--say, when I'm grilling chicken for dinner. And when it's difficult to still my mind for some focused writing, maybe I just need to do something else for a little while instead of staring at the computer screen. Something that lets my mind wander, but keeps my body active--like vacuuming.

Rats. Sounds like I should be doing more chores. That is not the glamorous writer's lifestyle I meant to sign up for. ;-)

Never, Never, Never Give Up

I don't know what it is about writing that makes us want to give up on it so easily.

I guess for me it's that life is busy and full, but writing takes time and solitude.

And then there's always the critique, the rejections, the subjective judgments of my work. Leanna Ellis once told me, "It occurred to me the other day that I don't go to my friends' or families' work places to see what they're doing and what kind of work they've produced. But when they read my books, that's what they're doing."

Yep, we writers have to have the guts of a Spartan warrior, the heart of a Greek poet, and the determination of a little bulldog of a man like Winston Churchill.

My friend, novelist Jodi Thomas, is an inspiration to me. She's published nearly thirty books and been on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller lists multiple times. She's won three RITA awards and been inducted into the Romance Writer's Hall of Fame. On her website she writes,

It surprises me sometimes when people come to visit and say, “Oh, you’re so lucky to be gifted. I wish I had such a talent.”

They have no idea. I’m not gifted at all, or lucky. I stumbled hundreds of times. For every award there are a dozen contests where I didn’t place. For every book that sees daylight, there are at least four drafts still hiding in the dark.

Like Jodi, for whatever reason, I can't give up. Sometimes I wish I could.

But not really.

So, what keeps you writing?

BAD MOM Column Debut

My new humorous BAD MOM column has gone live at New Christian Voices! NCV is a non-denominational Christian humor and lifestyle website. It's not your typical conservative Christian website. Yes, we're clean. Yes, we're Christian. But our goal is to help our readers to both laugh and stretch outside their comfort zone as they learn more about themselves and their faith.

The site is still being tweaked in advance of an official launch, but my friend and editor Joanne Brokaw said I could send readers that way.

Look for BAD MOM on the columns sidebar. Right now my columns are being published on Mondays. I'm also writing the occasional feature article. "Pregnant Man Confuses the Issue" can be found under "Features" then "Society."

I'd love to see a comment from you at NCV! http://www.newchristianvoices.com (or click on the title of this post to go directly to the site)

The First Line I Wrote Today

"Put me in the sunshine and I’ll burn, blister, and peel, but the only lasting result I get is a crop of freckles on a field of pure-white snow."

It's part of the editing I'm doing on a humorous article about learning to trust that God made us exactly the way he wants us--and that he calls us to do exactly what he wants us to do.

More info on where you can find this article later.

Now, back to work. I have a column to write. I love saying that. :)