10
Mar
I got a bit slack with the blog.
Sorry folks.
Life, and all that.
Yesterday someone said to me "Oh you're a typical Pisces!" (No, I'm not.)
I'm born Aries. (And no, I'm not.)
I'm really both. Which makes for an interesting war in my head at times.
But it got me to thinking about (and looking up) personality traits. Quite interesting, and quite useful for writers.
Take a Pisces for instance.
This is what it says on Pisces.com:
Pisces are sensitive, humane and often idealistic. People born under this sign react emotionally to everything making them compassionate and sensitive to those around them. Rather than taking an analytical approach to life, pisces react to the feelings of others and as a result can be very influential when they choose to be. In the right situaltion a Pisces can be capable of incredible deeds. The positive nature of a Pisces and the fact that they are tuned into the feelings of others makes them socially popular.
Being able to read and react to situations makes Pisces one of the most adaptive signs in the Zodiac. They are very intuitive and as a result can be flexible and prosper in many different situations. The intuitive nature of Pisces also makes them a very creative and imaginative sign. Pisces are often artists, writers and dreamers. The strong intuition of a Pisces can also mean that they are very spiritual.
Now throw that Pisces in with a Virgo.
The Virgo person is practical, industrious, efficient, thorough, methodical, detail-oriented, observant, critical, work and service oriented, pragmatic, modest, health and cleanliness conscious, mentally active, and flexible. They can also be fussy, nervous, pedantic, petty, and over-critical. Virgos sometimes get a bad reputation with astrologers and are thought of as fussy or narrow-minded. But a shining Virgo can out match any other sign. A confident Virgo is the most successful, structured, and creative of all the signs.
They are practically completely opposite, and there are bound to be fireworks.
So occasionally looking at the personality traits of star signs does give you a rather nicely rounded character.
Try it some time!
5
Mar
Chuck Sambuchino from Guide to Literary Agents is hosting the third "Dear Lucky Agent" Contest.
Here is the gist of it:
This will be a recurring online contest with agent judges and super-cool prizes. Here's the deal: With every contest, the details are essentially the same, but the niche itself changes—meaning each contest is focused around a specific category or two. So if you're writing a novel-length work of urban fantasy or paranormal romance, this third contest is for you!
But don't just listen to me… go check it out for yourself!
Click here to see what it's all about.
Good luck to those who take part!
5
Mar
So… I got a happy cupcake award from Joyce… 
First of all – Thanks!
Now I'm supposed to list 10 things that make me happy.
Since this is my writing blog… I'll come up with 10 things that make me happy when I write.
- When an idea hits that's just too good to pass up.
- When everything falls into place.
- When the right word comes, at the right time.
- When the dialog makes me laugh while I write it.
- When the action flows and you can practically feel the punches.
- When someone tells me they love the hero / heroine (or both)
- When someone finishes a beta read — and wants book 2.
- When I can write ten thousand words and later sit there and think "Where did that come from?"
- When I get a rejection with details, rather than a form rejection.
- I'd love to say when I get a contract / published, but that hasn't happened yet!
So those are my ten things.
What are yours?