I’m so pleased to welcome award-winning author Hank Phillippi Ryan to Romance University. Through sheer good fortune, I met Hank
at the RWA conference in Washington D.C. this past summer. She didn’t even blink an eye when I accosted her in the Borders checkout line.
In addition to being a consummate professional and a talented writer, Hank’s generous. Extremely so. She’s giving away four (4) signed ARCs of her Agatha award-winning novel Prime Time! Leave a comment or question for your chance to win.
Okay, Hank–three, two, one–time for your Romance University live shot! Lights, camera–You’re on the air.
After 30 years as a TV journalist—writing only the absolute facts about the real world, how did Hank Phillippi Ryan make the 180 into writing fiction? She says, at first, she thought it would be difficult. After all, in television news, you can’t make stuff up! But then she realized in writing novels, you’re still writing the truth—you just have to first create your own “real world.”
And then, she says, she discovered there are a lot more similarities between writing fact and writing fiction. The first one? How to handle deadlines.
DEADLINE SECRETS
I could not believe what my friend the novelist was telling me. And it was all I could do not to burst out laughing. And then, finally I couldn’t resist.
Are you actually saying, I asked between gasps, are you actually saying you asked your editor for three more weeks to finish your book? Asked her to move the deadline three weeks ahead?
My friend, a perfectly lovely and wonderful author, quite successful I might add, looked perplexed. “Well, sure,” she said. “I’m having trouble feeling the muse, and I couldn’t get finished, and so I asked her to move the deadline. I do it all the time.”
Okay, forgive me. As a veteran (okay, old) reporter, the idea of missing a big deadline is –well, it makes my stomach hurt.
I’ve been in TV for 30 years. And I just shook my head, thinking about her extra three weeks. Can you imagine if I went to my news director and said—you know, could I be on the news at ten after six, instead of six? I’m not really…feeling the muse.
Hey, listen kid, the news director might have said. The news is on a 6 o’clock. That means your story is ready at 6 o’clock. If you can’t do it –I’ll find someone who can.
So it got me to wondering about deadlines. And even the dreaded writer’s block. And how people in TV news deal with that. Sure, there are days when I’m trying to bang out a story for the 6 o’clock news and it’s not quite as wonderful as I hoped. I sit at my desk glowering at the computer monitor, wondering whose idea this stupid story was anyway, and why I ever wanted to be a reporter, and if I could just write the story, maybe, tomorrow, how much better it would be.
Then I look at the clock, and it’s a little after five, and if I’m going to get my video edited and on the air at six—I’d better just go with what I’ve got. And hope it’s good.
In fact, the phrase “go with what you’ve got” has propelled me into making many a deadline. And the more I think about it, the more the lessons of deadline reporting for television translate to the pressures and deadlines of writing a book. Even if you make the deadlines yourself! It’s just one of the ways writing for television for thirty years has prepared me to face the rigors of writing romantic suspense and mysteries.
Deadline secret number one: If you’re sitting at your desk, brain numb and unable to decide what comes next—say the magic words: “I’ll just go with what I’ve got.” Just—write down what you think might work. Go from there. “What you’ve got” might be the next word or the next line, or the next sentence. You certainly have that. Just put it down. You can always tweak it later.
Another deadline secret that always works: ask yourself: what am I really trying to say here? When I have a complicated investigative story, and I feel I’ve somehow written myself into a corner (have you been in that corner?) I stop. I regroup. I ask myself: where am I in the story, and where do I need to go next? Do I need an action? An explanation? An emotion? What does the reader need to know, or to understand? And often, the answer will emerge.
Deadline secret number three: Ask yourself: Why do I care? The goal of a great TV story, as well as a great novel, is that people arecompelled to hear it. That it’s just—as they used to say in The Front Page—a hell of a story. So if you have a hell of a story—why is
that? Who do you care about, and why? And that can galvanize your thoughts to figure out what has to come next.
And one last secret—remember why you loved your story in the first place.
After working on an big story for maybe months and it’s finally time to write the thing—sometimes I have notebooks and files full of information, and I think—ah, whose idea was this anyway? I hate this story, I can’t think about it for one more minute. Then I take myself back to that shining moment when I had what I knew was a terrific idea. I remember how I felt about it when it was newly hatched. And always, always, there’s a rush of enthusiasm…and I knew exactly what to say next.
And PS: If you’re having difficulty with a deadline? Pat yourself on the back. There’s not a writer who doesn’t. Having a tough moment at the computer? Yay. You’re a writer.
Do you have any deadline secrets?
* * *
Thanks, Hank!
RU Readers, be sure to leave a comment for your chance to win one of four ARCs of Prime Time.
Don’t forget to check back in on Wednesday when Wayne Levine returns to explore all things male.
Hank’s Bio:
Award-winning investigative reporter Hank Phillippi Ryan is currently on the air at Boston’s NBC affiliate, where she’s broken big stories for the past 22 years. Her stories have resulted in new laws, people sent to prison, homes removed from foreclosure, and millions of dollars in refunds and restitution for consumers.
Along with her 26 EMMYs, Hank’s won also won dozens of other journalism honors. She’s been a legislative aide in the United States Senate (working on the Freedom of Information Act) and at Rolling Stone Magazine (working with Hunter S. Thompson).
Her first romantic-suspense mysteries, PRIME TIME (which won the prestigious Agatha Award for Best First Novel, was a double RITA nominee for Best First Book and Best Romantic Suspense Novel, and a Reviewers’ Choice Award Winner) and FACE TIME (Book Sense Notable Book), are current best sellers. The newest in the series is the already-bestselling AIR TIME (MIRA Sept. 2009) (Suzanne Brockmann says: “I love this series!”) Watch for DRIVE TIME from MIRA in February 2010–it’s just earned a starred review from Library Journal!
Carrie Spencer, writing romantic comedy and goofy middle-grade, personifies her alter-ego - 
When I find myself stuck in the middle of a scene, I usually stick my earbuds in and crank the volume of a song that fits the mood of the characters. Somehow it helps me find the next words.
Thanks for your insight!
Posted by Taylor Taylor | December 14, 2009, 1:43 amThank you for your post, Hank. I don’t have any deadline secrets because I’ve never had a book contract. But I’m grateful to you for sharing yours. Maybe someday I’ll be able to use them. Keep up the good work!
Posted by Mary Anne Landers | December 14, 2009, 3:18 amHank -
Thanks so much for joining us today. Procrastination can be a problem for me, but I find if I set a timer for 30 minutes, the work becomes more manageable and I normally end up working for several hours. However, if I’m having an “antsy” day, the time allows me to take small breaks in between writing.
Kelsey
Posted by Kelsey Browning | December 14, 2009, 6:25 amWelcome, Hank!
I think the hardest part for a new author would be scheduling her writing time in order to meet that deadline. How many pages a day would it take to meet that deadline? How many words a day? She would have to allow time for editing and such too. So many variables! I’m sure the first few books would be the hardest, then you’d find a groove of sorts.
Thanks again,
Tracey
Posted by Tracey Devlyn | December 14, 2009, 6:41 amGreat advice! I take my dog for a walk, and I almost always get an idea of where to go with my story. So far my deadlines are self made, but I still like to meet them.
Posted by Edie | December 14, 2009, 10:07 amEdie -
I’m a dog-walk thinker, too! Only problem is it’s so hot here, I can only walk my dog early in the morning or the evening. So if I get stuck at noon, I’m SOL
.
Kelsey
Posted by Kelsey Browning | December 14, 2009, 9:15 pmmorning Hank!
great post….I’m a huge procrastinator, and always wait til the last second to give myself a big push. I’m slowly breaking out of this habit, by breaking up my working time into smaller segments like Kelsey, and making myself work for so long each day. It really helps to not have that big oh-crap-I-have-30-pages-due-tomorrow panic attack!
=)
carrie
Posted by carrie | December 14, 2009, 10:08 amMary Anne–you’ll get that contract someday! But of course, all deadlines arent set by publishers. If you’re working on what you hope will be the next big novel–you’ll never sell it unless you’re finished right? So some of the most difficult deadlines are those we must impose on ourselves.
So even if New York isn’t waiting for your manuscript, YOU are. So setting goals is never a bad thing.
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 10:45 amKelsey, you’re so wise! Give yourself a time limit, and the work is manageable. Give yourself a treat after 30 minutes or an hour..and the time will fly by.
And remember—what you’re writing doesn’t have to be perfect. Happily, you can always revise or tweak or polish. Just getting that first draft down cann be the most daunting–but once you have pages filled with words, it becomes a whole different experience.
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 10:48 amTracey, I actually made a chart! I knew how many words I had to write, and how many days I had. So I calculated i needed to write 576 words a day
(or whatever it was) and then filled in the little boxes on a grid of how many I actually did, and my goals for the day and week. It was very gratifying to fill the boxes…I guess I never out grew the “get a gold star” thing.
I was always behind, but at least I knew exactly how behind I was! And I knew I didn’t have to panic. I know when I had some time to coast (HA!) and when I better get a move on.
For me, that organization and clarity was very helpful. Of course, being a reporter for all these years with that looming 6 o’clock deadline helps!
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 10:51 amThanks for the informative post.
My self-imposed deadlines rarely work out as planned but if it’s an agent created deadline, no problem. lol
When I’m stuck on a scene, I stop and immediately go for a thirty minute walk. I’ve found walking works most of the time and also generates a bunch of new ideasl.
Kim
Posted by Kim Cresswell | December 14, 2009, 10:54 amAnd let me say–it;s all in how you look at it. At any task.
When I thnk–I have to clean out the refrigerator, my mind instanly creates all the perfectly good reasons why this is not really the best itme to do it. But if I think–I’ll just clean one shelf–than that’s no probelm.
So don’t think–oh, I have to write a book! Yikes! That’s impossibly daunting.
Make reasonable, meetable goals for yourself. “I’lll just write one paragraph.” That’s doable, right? Set the bar LOW.
Tell yourself– “I’ll just write one page. Just one.” Ah. That’s easy enough. 250 little words. That’s doable.
(If you wrote one page a day–one!–at the end of one year, you’d be done)
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 11:26 am250 words is doable.
I definitely need to lower the bar to something attainable. My goal of 1500 words a day simply isn’t working since I only hit that number once a week. Starting now–I’m a page-a-day girl. 
Thanks again for all the wonderful advice.
Posted by Kim Cresswell | December 14, 2009, 2:13 pmOh, so interesting! I’d love to hear how that works for you. Keep me posted, okay? And I bet your word count goes up up up. xo
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 2:19 pmTake a break. A little one. Maybe 10 minutes. Get a cup of water. Use the restroom. Take a short walk. Stare out the window. When really stuck, sometimes the brain needs a minute, like a stalling car, to kick itself back into gear.
Posted by PatriciaW | December 14, 2009, 11:35 amHi Hank. Thank you for being with us today. I love your three tips and will add them to my “stuck” file. I had to laugh when I saw your answer to Tracey about your chart. I did one of those for NANO last month because I was determined to hit that 50,000 words. Plus, NANO has a bar chart that records your progress and I became addicted to it. I would update my word count every couple of hours just to see the bar go higher. I found it actually motivated me to keep going even when I was exhausted. Now, if I could only figure out how to do that in Excel! LOL.
Great post!
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | December 14, 2009, 11:48 amA –
Your friendly techy partner could probably help you on this one. Email me
.
K-
Posted by Kelsey Browning | December 14, 2009, 9:17 pmPatriciaW–that’s such a good idea!
And adding to it–make an appointment with yourself about when you’re going to start again. Sometimes I’ll look at the clock on my computer and say–okay, I’m going to –fill in the blank–for ten minutes. Then, when it’s 1:17pm, I’m going to write again. Make a deal with yourself–and keep it.
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 12:20 pmHank –
This is a great post, full of excellent advice, and not just to help with meeting deadlines, but also to stay focused on what’s important about telling the story. I’m printing it out to keep by my computer to keep me on track.
I think you have a fabulous web site too, by the way!
Posted by Cathy Pritchard | December 14, 2009, 12:22 pmGREAT POST and tips Hank !
Posted by Mary Dee | December 14, 2009, 12:31 pmBest trick I ever learned was from Stephen King himself. According to the story, when King gets stuck, he enlarges the font, changes it to bright red, centers it, and types in “SOMETHING REALLY F***ING SCARY HAPPENS HERE”, then starts writing the aftermath of the Big Scary Scene.
I’ve learned to substitute “Scary” with “Dangerous”, “Unbelievable”, “Thrilling”, “Romantic”, “Exciting”, etc. then dealing with the aftermath. Once the after effects of the Big Whatever Thing are dealt with, you can go back and tailor the Big Whatever to fit what follows.
It really does get past the Bad Points….
Posted by William Simon | December 14, 2009, 1:44 pmThis is a great tip! So many keepers today.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | December 14, 2009, 2:11 pmI love this idea! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by Kim Cresswell | December 14, 2009, 2:14 pmlol…that’s just perfect…
carrie
Posted by carrie | December 14, 2009, 7:47 pmThanks so much for the advice.
I’m currently working a self imposed deadline to have a first draft of story completed before the end of the year. I started the story over a year ago. Each morning I wake up at four am and sit down with the intent of writing at least 500 words before I do any thing else for the day. Most days I only get about half that or less. I have to keep reminding myself that even though I may not have reached my daily goal, I did put forth the effort. I also remember some advice a fellow writer gave me. If I take one step, he’ll take two.
Posted by A.M. Wells | December 14, 2009, 1:58 pmSo, AM Wells–what if you made your goal 250 words a day? Would it be more fun to have a moment of victory every day? What do you think about that, commenters?
(And hey–anyone know how to post photos to the comments? Instead of having the little round keyhole person?)
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 2:01 pmI do!
Our lovely webmistress, Jeannie Ruesch, suggested http://www.gravatar.com to get a picture to go with your email address that’s usable on lots of blogs.
It’s real easy to setup.
Posted by Tracey Devlyn | December 14, 2009, 2:09 pmExcellent idea!
Posted by Kim Cresswell | December 14, 2009, 2:25 pmYes, I suppose I could lower the WC, however on those instances when I do reach or go beyond my daily goal, it’s indescribable this feeling that YES THANK YOU LORD I DID IT. Sorry didn’ t mean to yell and yes thank you I do see your point.
Posted by A.M. Wells | December 14, 2009, 2:59 pmHey WiIliam! SO lovely to see you here. That is the greatest advice..and I do it, too, at several levels. (And very cool that Stephen King calls you. Or does he email? And his book On Writing is so–perfect. Don’t you think?
Anyone else read it? Highly recommended.)
Anyway–along those lines. Let’s say I can’t think of the perfect word. I just put in (something that means scary) and highlight it in yellow. Every time, and I mean every time, in a few sentences the perfect word comes to mind.
Go with what you’ve got–and if you’ve got nuthin’, just leave a space and with a reminder to yourelf about what you’re going to write there eventually. As the story is created, you’ll fill it in. Just–go on!
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 2:05 pmHank -
On a smaller scale, I use “XX” when the perfect word just eludes me, which is fairly often since I’m a sloppy (very sloppy) first draft writer. It keeps me from obsessing about a verb or what-have-you for 10 minutes and loows me to get on with the story.
Kelsey
Posted by Kelsey Browning | December 14, 2009, 9:22 pmHi, Hank! Always nice to see you, also.
Sad to say, Stephen King doesn’t call me, nor does he write, nor does he ask for advice…:) If I’m remembering it correctly, he talked about The Process in an interview long ago, back around the time THE SHINING came out. One of those little things that stuck with me.
And you’re correct about his book ON WRITING. I read that, went into my library, and got rid of every other “how to write” book I owned. Anyone who wants to write anything needs to read that one….
Posted by William Simon | December 14, 2009, 2:16 pmOh, rats. I was going to ask you to say hi to him from me.
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 2:17 pmHi
I so like the ‘go with what you’ve got.’ One of the things I do is teach people to read Tarot Cards. Often, when they say, ‘I don’t know what this means.’
I reply “if you did not what it meant, what would it mean?”; this is followed by many giggles from students and usually something fecund from the person asking the question.
How do you keep each character’s voice – exceedingly and memorably distinct?
Thank you!
Laurel@symbolicbridging.com
Posted by Laurel Kahaner | December 14, 2009, 2:40 pmHey there Hank!
Thank you very much for your entertaining, yet informative entry.
I guess now would NOT be the time to confess in light of a deadline, I get the ‘deer-in-the-headlights-look and run to the freezer for the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream…
How I handle writers block depends on certain factors. You know. What day it is, what season of the year, the temperature outside, the time the block takes place, the alignment with the stars, whether it’s a bad hair day…
Or I go to my pill-by-the-day box, making sure I’ve been taking my medication on a regular bases.
Seriously. Mind altering drugs for bio polar manic depressives can play havoc with the muse, if doses get screwed up.
I have an arsenal of weapons at my disposal, to rid myself of the wicked writers block. Some of my choices have already been mentioned.
The walking (depending on the time/weather),
The timer (as long as I don’t have anything in the oven or am feeling rebellious),
The break (as long as it’s not parked in front of the television or surfing the net in the disguise of ‘research’),
The mindless job (not really good for me, because I’m anal about housework and organization and use it regularly to procrastinate),
The music, (depending on my mood time of day).
What seems to work consistent (for me) is either sitting down and reading for a bit (starts up the stalled creative juices) or I start writing on another WIP (which gets the right side of my brain to switch gears, leaving the left side of my brain in a stupor for a while.)
So, in my humble opinion, it’s always nice to be able to add more weapons of choice to use in my declaration of war against the evils of writers block made worse due to the dreaded deadline.
And if I have to retreat? It’s always to the freezer. Ben and Jerry await me with open arms.
Posted by George Allwynn | December 14, 2009, 2:44 pmLaurel, that’s a great reply! And I think mine to you is along the same lines.
Um–I guess the way to keep the characters differentiated is that–they ARE different. When a character is a real fully-formed person, they aren’t going to speak or behave like anyone else. So my tentative idea, just thinking this through, is to create a rich and textured character in your head–you know? And then let that come out on the page.
So instead of trying to make them distinct on the page, work on making them distinct in your head. What do they want? What do they need? Why are they doing what they’re doing? Then their words and actions will come out the only way they can.
Do you see what I mean at all?
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 3:30 pmHi Hank,
Luxuriating in duende and the rhythms of word play, I imagine, I sacrifice character distinctness for a quixotic poetic elegiac ancient voice that flows through me, with a quicksilver wildness, that feels auspiciously demanding and sometimes intransigent. But if this way of writing is obscuring, rather than clarifying, character distinctness, then I need to somehow bridge your suggestion with the nascent joy of how my writing expresses itself.
Thoughts?
Your suggestion is helpful, thank you.
Laurel aka Aisling
http://aislingnano.wordpress.com/
Posted by Laurel Kahaner | December 14, 2009, 3:51 pmGeorge–some terrific ideas! And I often just close my eyes and choose a book from the shelf–open it to a random page and just read for a moment..it’s a terrific way to jog your brain!
Ben and Jerry–also can be very successful. (In the right hands, of course!)
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 3:32 pmLaurel? Two thoughts:
One: If that’s how YOU sound, that’s how your character is going to sound. SO –make a character like you.
Two: If you don’t want a character to be like you, then think like an actor. Have the character say lines that someone else, someone who is NOT you, would say! Writing is being you–but not you.
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 4:07 pmHi Hank,
It is fun to giggle and learn simultaneously. My character’s are sooooooo pleased that I am listening to your advice. Thank you!
I wonder where the term dead line originated? Sometimes I make a playlist for a character, or for the mood of a insouciant scene. I write until the soundtrack ends. Quite often the playlist helps me complete the desired writing bit, for the day.
all the best,
Laurel
Posted by Laurel Kahaner | December 14, 2009, 7:17 pmdoes the image show yet. yikes
Posted by Laurel Kahaner | December 17, 2009, 8:09 pmHank,
Thank you so much. This is a great post!
I downloaded Prime Time to my kindle a few months back, thinking that I’d give it a try. Wow. Loved it. Downloaded Face Time and Air Time before I finished Prime….excellent books.
I find taking a walk almost always frees my muse from a bout of refusing to cooperate.
Also, getting out of the house helps a lot. If I settle into a back booth at Perkins, I almost always get at least one page written. Usually more.
Looking forward to Drive Time.
Again, thanks so much for sharing.
lucie j.
Posted by Lucie J. Charles | December 14, 2009, 4:44 pmLucie! Thank you so much…wow. That’s wonderful. Hmm..I have a couple of preview chapter books of DRIVE TIME…I’d be thrilled to send you one. Contact me through my website..and I’ll send you one!
Perkins! I haven’t been to a Perkins for a long time. Very nice memories..
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 4:49 pmHank,
I also had the pleasure of meeting you at RWA. You spotted my first-timer badge and graciously introduced yourself. Love your books!
I sometimes self-impose goals that are stressful, but generally, I function best with a “high-bar” goal. If I think 10 pages a day, the odds are I’ll get 10 pages a day, even on a “day-job was hell” day. Of course, I might later go back and purge some of what I’ve written, but the progress keeps the writing flowing. I also like to use the technique that was described in another posting that Stephen King advocates: when I’m stuck, I use a different font to indicate what the scene will be about and move on. This helps grease the gears, so to speak.
Thanks for sharing your ideas….terrific and practical!
Posted by Victoria Gray | December 14, 2009, 5:24 pmOh, wonderful, Victoria. Your technique proves the only absolute rule–and that is, there are no absolute rules. It’s a wonderful journey, well, it can be at least, to figure out what works for you–and do that. As long as it works! And then try something else.
There’s always something new to try.
And Victoria–thanks for the kind words! I hope our paths cross again soon!
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 5:58 pmAnd we haven’t talked about Taylor’s comment about music.
That is one of the most personal of decisions…do you all write to music?
I’ll tell you about me–and some other of your favoirite writers–after I hear about you.
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 6:02 pmHI Hank,
I just posted about playlists, then discovered this post on music by you.
I am listening to Sigur Ros, today. The made up icelandic lyrics are moody. evocative and nostalgic for a mysterious time.
Laurel
Posted by Laurel Kahaner | December 14, 2009, 7:21 pmI sometimes play music while I write. It really depends on my mood. As strange as it sounds…I’ve had some very productive writing sessions while watching TV. lol
Posted by Kim Cresswell | December 14, 2009, 7:35 pmAnyone else? Music? Does it help you meet deadlines?
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 7:38 pmOh, I’ve tried to listen to music, but it distracts me. I can sort of get by with listening to instrumental, but it has to be the New Age soothing type.
LOL – I’m so darn picky!
Hank, thanks so much for answering everyone’s questions. You made today a fun and informative post – Thanks!!!
PS – great pic!
Posted by TraceyDevlyn | December 14, 2009, 8:02 pmI can’t write to music either. I love it when I’m doing research or plotting. I make playlists of songs that my characters might like. Weird, I know, but it helps me figure out my characters. Then when I’m stuck, I’ll pull that character’s playlist and listen for awhile until I get unstuck.
Posted by Adrienne Giordano | December 14, 2009, 8:29 pmHank –
I can only write to “non-lyric” music, but I edit to a specialized playlist I make for each book. Making the playlist is tons of fun and can keep me thinking about my characters while I edit.
Kelsey
Posted by Kelsey Browning | December 14, 2009, 9:28 pmI’m afraid I’m one of those silent people…no music, no TV…that’s my preference…but I once finished a 1500 word essay on a Friday night at a table in a restaurant with music blaring and people talking….lol….usually I’m too easily distracted!
carrie
Posted by carrie | December 14, 2009, 8:14 pmoh hey..thanks for the gravatar link…slick!
carrie
Posted by carrie | December 14, 2009, 8:15 pmToo cute, Carrie!!
Posted by TraceyDevlyn | December 14, 2009, 8:35 pmCarrie -
Love the new pic. If you take a look, I think you’ll find it’s populated all your back comments
.
K-
Posted by Kelsey Browning | December 14, 2009, 9:31 pmlol…it did…my little blog donkey is now spread far and wide…and might I add with this post – on one hundred of my pithy little comments and questions peppered throughout RU!
You guys are the best!
carrie
(ps, that’s not my natural hair color in the pic)
=)
Posted by carrie | December 14, 2009, 10:04 pmYup, I’m with you, Tracey. I work in a TV newsroom, writing my scripts while there are dozens of televisons blaring all the time–and that;s seems to be fine. But when i’m home writing books, it has to be absolutely quiet.
If there’s music with words? I listen to the words. Can’t help it.
But you all know the wonderful Allison Brennan, of course. She writes to blaringly loud rock and roll! So to each..her own.
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 8:16 pmWhat a great day–you all are wonderful..I’ll check in a bit later for everyone on the west coast!
Happiest of holidays..and all best with your wriitng and your careers. Please come visit my webiste..and watch for DRIVE TIME in February 2010!
Questions? Advice? Suggestions? Need help writing a realistic reporter? Just send me an email…
Posted by Hank Phillippi Ryan | December 14, 2009, 8:29 pmWhat a wonderful thing to offer! Thanks again, Hank. You’re the best.
Posted by TraceyDevlyn | December 14, 2009, 8:36 pmThank you!
Posted by Laurel Kahaner | December 14, 2009, 8:40 pmThank you, Hank. Happy Holidays.
Posted by Kim Cresswell | December 14, 2009, 8:48 pm