Kelly McClymer's Blog, page 20

Time for another installment of The Ex-Files. I'm feeling like I need to push the envelope a little, but instead I'm playing it safe. I usually have this problem when I'm drafting a novel, but I don't usually share my chapters so early. Since I am, I think it could be wise to get a little help on pushing Diana into personal insights on her tendency to nitpick relationships to death.  If you have some suggestions on how to get Diana further out of her comfort zone, please offer them.

OBLIGATORY...

I was at the dentist on Tuesday (so maybe this should be Lesson from the Backteeth?). I had some time to think while I was reclining helplessly in the chair with my mouth open and a very kind hygienist offering me absolution for taking so long to get a new dentist after my most excellent dentist of 20+ years retired (at 80!).

Naturally, I thought about all the things I needed to do that I could not do while in the dentist's chair. I had the sense that if I hadn't had the appointment, I would h...

I have weddings on my mind, obviously. But I think I'd have noticed the news about the couple getting married in the library in Auburn, Maine, even if my daughter wasn't in the midst of planning her own wedding.

If I wasn't already married, I would want to copy them (much more attractive to me than the couple who sky-dived the ceremony — or the couple who exchanged vows underwater).

Check out the story about the most book-loving wedding ever at The Bangor Daily News site.

Congratulations Alicia ...

This chapter of The Ex-Files is a day late (but not a dollar short, I hope). I just couldn't post something so light on yesterday's date. Sorry about that. I hadn't thought about the date until yesterday (I've been trying to avoid the news, and haven't even been able to listen to much NPR while making dinner, something I really, really, like to do.

OBLIGATORY STATEMENT: This is part of  the wedding promotion. I promised my daughter I would finish this chicklit novel (begun while she was in...

Here is my entry for Challenge #1 for Rachel Harrie's Write Campaign (rules first — and yes, I made it in 200 words, even though I'm behind a little. Go me!).

Write a short story/flash fiction story in 200 words or less, excluding the title. It can be in any format, including a poem. Begin the story with the words, "The door swung open" These four words will be included in the word count.

If you want to give yourself an added challenge (optional), use the same beginning words and end with the...

Today is a holiday in the States (Labor Day, to celebrate the workers who make the goods that make this country profitable — oh the irony, given the recent push to pay laborers less, and make them work longer for a smaller share of the profits…). As such, I won't be posting a new chapter of The Ex-Files (next week, though – a worker's work is never done and I labor for a harsh taskmistress).

For Twitter #SampleSunday on Labor Day, I will make for an easy drive-by reading experience, by...

Not the place. The place her dad is advocating for. But beautiful. Natural. Peaceful.

Update for supporters and followers of the 50 Day Wedding Promo and Confessions of a Turtle Mom Series: Daughter may have chosen her wedding venue. You can get a glimpse of her top choice (for now) here, at Twenty Mile House.

To save a little money, she's thinking of having the wedding on a weekday, because most people will have to travel anyway, or so her thinking is going right now…she's letting the...

Okay. Here's Chapter Nine of The Ex-Files, as promised to my daughter as part of the wedding promotion. I'm posting late because I had to do this one from my notes.

As I wrote this chapter, I tried to think about what it would feel like to revisit an old romance? Would you wonder why you broke up with the jerk? Or would you wonder why you ever dated him in the first place? I think it would probably be a little of both if the relationship was at all serious. But maybe you have a different...

Some people are very creative and enterprising. Rachel Harrie is one of those people. For the third year, she's running a blog and writer campaign to help writers help each other build our platforms and our readerships.

I'm going to do this (yes, even though I swore I wouldn't add anything to the plate for the rest of the year).

I had so much fun with my wedding promotion that I miss the cameraderie of getting myself out there and meeting people (I'd happily live on a cave on Mars without...

Please welcome bestselling, award-winning author Mary Kirk today. Mary has begun to bring out her backlist, and has learned many lessons along the way, just like the rest of us. The Author's Cut example is one I think others may find genius enough to borrow and adapt for themselves.

Enjoy!

Author's Cut?  A Euphemism for "Needs Editing"—Or Something Else Altogether?

You know what they say about the best-laid plans.  Well, the same goes for the best-plotted book.  When I finished writing Embers...