Behind Every Successful Woman…

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Ann Roth

Remember this when you need a pick-me-up. Sure, females face gender gaps, biases against women (sometimes perpetuated by ourselves!), and a whole host of challenges.

This happens even among those who should know better. Recently, I was at a medical facility, where there are lots of talented female physicians (my daughter is one of them). And yet, I heard both a doctor and a nurse refer to a physician they didn’t know as “he”.

“Dr. xxx is a woman,” I gently corrected.

They took it in stride. But I shook my head and wondered when these longtime biases will change. I have no idea, but sooner or later, that change will occur.

In the meantime, don’t let the naysayers get you down. With a positive attitude, hard work, grit and support from our brothers and sisters everywhere, we can soar.

Think about it.

Until next time,

Ann

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Until next time,

Ann

I Am Writer

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Ann Roth

One of my favorite things about creating stories to share with you is the magic that seemingly springs out of the blue.

So I’m writing away, working from a synopsis, which is like a road map that tells me where I should go in order to reach that optimistic ending that is the payoff for all the suffering I put my characters through. Oh, yeah, I so enjoy making them suffer. :- )

As I labor to bring the story in my head to life on the page, suddenly the plot takes a turn I never planned for. Always an enjoyable surprise. Or the characters take charge and speak or act in totally unexpected and unanticipated ways. I love when this happens! Mind you, I don’t let them veer off on tangents too far removed from their story. Otherwise, you readers tend get frustrated–and so do I.

But when I trust them enough to give them free rein, amazing things happen. For that, I am beyond grateful.

I love my job, and it’s time I got back to it and let the magic unfold.

Wishing you magic, and until next time,

Ann

Happy New Year!

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Ann Roth

May 2015 be filled with joy and success, however you define it.

See you next year! (I’ve always loved saying that. 🙂 )

Until next time,

Ann

Joy to All!

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Ann Roth

Until next time, and wishing you and yours a joyous day and holiday season,

Ann

Allow Me to Vent…

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Ann Roth

Just thought I’d share this with you.

One of my pet peeves: bad grammar. Not that we writers don’t break the rules sometimes. After all, we have to be true to our characters. That means letting them speak and think in ways natural to them. Like most of us, characters, too, use less-than-correct grammar on a daily basis.

There are times when oral grammar bugs me, too. Examples that come to mind: “Me and him went to the store.” “Her and I talked on the phone.”

Back to the written word. When I read a letter or email, an article in a paper or magazine, or one of those badly written self-published books, and the grammar is off… I forget the message and instead, focus on the mistakes. I am sure this is not what the writer intends.

So please, folks, correct your grammar. If you don’t know grammar, take a course. There are many out there. Or look on line for help. Also check your spelling and watch for typos, and make this particular, fussy writer happy.

Thanks for letting me vent. Climbing down from my high horse now…

Until next time,

Ann

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Ann Roth

I am taking the week off to work on the current work-in-progress and to get ready for Thanksgiving. Shopping, baking, getting the tables set and ready.

That’s right, tables. At our house, we host a big crowd of family, friends, and people who need a place to sit down and enjoy.

Even when life throws you a horrendous curve-ball, there is much to be grateful for. May you find something for which you can give thanks.

Until next time, and wishing you a thankful Thanksgiving,

Ann

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Tada: Rough Draft Done!

Posted on November 19, 2014 by Ann Roth

I finished the rough draft of my latest novel! Shazam! And I do mean rough. It took me just shy of 7 weeks to get the thing on paper. That’s fast! Even so, at times it seemed as if I were swimming through quicksand, working so hard, but getting nowhere.

This story isn’t nearly finished. It’s going to need a multiple, thorough revisions, during which I will flesh out the characters and their emotional arcs, and make sure that all the threads in the book are complete. This will take awhile, but at least I have something to work from.

Once the book is in reasonably decent shape, off it goes to an editor for her suggestions. Because as experienced and seasoned a writer as I am, I always, always miss things that need revising. When the book comes back to me, I’ll give it another round of edits, and so on and so on.

But just now, I’m patting myself on the back and taking a few days to play. Because no matter how much work lies ahead, I need to replenish and refill my creative well. That way it is always full.

Until next time, and wishing you the joy of finishing whatever your rough draft happens to be,

Ann

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Don’t just sit there…

Posted on November 12, 2014 by Ann Roth

Sage advice, no?

There are those rare and magical times when I feel as if I am flying. Those are the best times, when I know I can do ANYTHING.

But sometimes, forging ahead seems impossible. When that happens, it’s tempting to throw up my hands and give up.

I have a confession to make: With nearly every novel I write, I feel this way at some point. There are times when I spend days or even weeks, banging my head against a seemingly immovable barrier, working and reworking a few crucial pages or a scene that just isn’t working. That may never work. And a little voice in my head, a voice I have come to think of as my own mini-demon taunts, “Finishing this book isn’t life or death. Why don’t you throw in the towel? Go ahead, quit.”

I think about that. But I’m no quitter. Never have been. So I give myself a mental kick in the butt, banish that mini-demon to a place where the sun don’t shine, and rework the darned thing again. And again. And again, until I have it right and can at last move forward.

You want to know the funny part? When I finish the draft and reread it, I can’t believe that those few pages or that scene almost beat me. And I’m relieved and proud that I moved forward, even when I wondered if I ever would.

Until next time, and wishing you continued movement forward,

Ann

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Act Now!

Posted on November 5, 2014 by Ann Roth

“When xxx happens, then I will be on my way to (insert goal here).” My first memory of believing this goes way back to when I was 5 years old. I just knew that as soon as I turned 6, I’d have all the answers.

You know how that went…

At the time, I didn’t learn from my misbelief. I lived a big chunk my life waiting for that perfect moment when the stars aligned and fortune smiled at me. You can guess where all that waiting lead–nowhere.

So much time, squandered on hope that events completely out of my control fell into place just for me.

I know I’m not alone here. Admit it, you’ve done the same thing.

This saying is a great reminder that I can take control of my life and turn any moment into a step toward attaining my goals, however small that step may be.

It’s all about attitude and action. And guess what? It works. With a bonus: I’m a whole happier.

What are you going to do to take action and make this moment count?

Until next time, and wishing you control of your own life,

Ann

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Caution… Woman at work

Posted on October 29, 2014 by Ann Roth

I am busy at work… and will be back another day.

Until Friday,

Ann

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