Coeur de Louisiane

Meeting: February 2nd - Formatting for Smashwords and Kindle

2012-02-01T10:37:00.000-06:00

Thursday's meeting will be about formatting your manuscript for uploading to Smashwords and Kindle. It's really a simple process if you follow the directions.

The program will start at 11:00 a.m. at The Cottage in Alexandria, LA.

July Meeting - Writing the Short Story

2011-07-06T10:37:00.007-05:00

It's time to quit sleeping on it and get it done.

In order to test the waters of self-publishing, a short story challenge was thrown down in front of the membership.

Many authors are putting their short stories up on Kindle and Smashwords in order to get their name out there. Several have put up more than one and then combine several for an anthology.

Short story.

Sounds easy, but isn't. You still need a beginning, a middle and an end. But you don't need a subplot to lengthen the story.

In the 1940's and 50's, there were hundreds of magazines that purchased short stories, and due to a distribution problem, the vast majority of them vanished, leaving a void for readers.

With the advent of self-publishing, readers can now get their short story fix.

Ergo, the challenge.

Bring your short story to the meeting, or whatever you have. The challenge will continue through the next few months with formatting, book covers, and uploading to the different edistributors.

That's not counting the edits, proofreading, writing a blurb, writing a bio, etc. All steps that must be taken before that final upload.

Then after that, it's the excitement of seeing something you wrote out there in the world, striving for attention. Buy me, buy me, buy me...

There is your first review from someone you don't know...validation that yes you are a writer!

Exciting times are in store for the members who decide to try this 'short' challenge!

Meeting Date and Time Changed

2011-05-01T15:52:00.002-05:00

The Chapter changed it's meeting day to the first Thursday of each month. At the last meeting, it was voted upon to have the business part of the meeting start at 10:30 AM.

The Program will still start at 11:00 AM.

May's meeting will be very interesting. RWA sent out a survey to each member concerning self-publishing the past week.

Is it for you? Self-publishing, the pros and the cons will be presented at our May meeting.

NaNoWriMo is Coming!

2010-10-07T09:16:00.002-05:00

NaNoWriMo is coming in November!

It means that National Novel Write Month is upon us. You have thirty days to write a fifty thousand word novel. It most likely won't be a 'finished' product, but will be a decent first draft.

At our meeting this Saturday, we'll be going over preliminary plotting sheets.

Plot? Plot! Who needs a plot?

We all need a plot, so bring a pen as you'll be busy filling in the blanks of your story.

Hope to see you Saturday, October 9th at 10AM for the business meeting and at 11AM for the Plotting Workshop.

March 13th Meeting - Finishing Your Manuscript

2010-03-07T15:22:00.004-06:00

Ah! Finishing your manuscript. Many people desire to write a book, they think it's easy. Just write the words and when you get to a certain stage, you type 'The End.'
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It's not that simple. It's been reported that Dean Koontz does forty passes through a manuscript before he's happy with it.
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At Coeur's next meeting, we'll be discussing how to finish your manuscript in four passes.
It should take you only a month...
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Be there, you don't want to miss this great opportunity, there will be handouts. Presentation will be at 11:00AM.
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Coeur's Christmas Party

2009-12-02T11:05:00.004-06:00

It's that time of the year again, Coeur de Louisiane's Christmas Party.

Warning: There will be a ridiculous hat worn to this party. It's never been worn out in public, and will certainly garner some stares from the other patrons at The Cottage on December 5th, 11:00 AM.

Bring a magnificently wrapped gift that cost not less than five dollars, as we are a high-class group, for the gift stealing, er., exchange.

It should be good times, good food (well, it's always good food at The Cottage), good companionship.

What else can you ask for at this time of year?

Hope to see you there.

Next Meeting October 10th

2009-10-02T11:01:00.002-05:00

Due to a wedding, the meeting has been moved back a week.

One of the topics of discussion will be Query Letters.

Members are also asked to bring in One Page, Two Page and Three Page Synopsis of their current manuscript. Please bring enough copies for everyone attending.

Hope to see you there...

Synopsis or Sucknopsis

2009-09-04T09:37:00.004-05:00

We've heard it called both.

But we're going to tackle the first definition at our September Meeting.

Writing a synopsis can be a difficult chore, especially when some editors want a one page, two pages, three pages, and more pages.

What do you put down on the page for the different lengths?

How detailed do you get?

How do you make your synopsis stick out from the rest?

Attend the meeting Saturday and find out.

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Coeur de Louisiane's June 6th Meeting

2009-06-01T10:56:00.003-05:00

Each member is being asked to bring three to five pages of the beginning of their manuscript.

Bring five copies on plain paper. Plus bring one copy where you have highlighted your work to reflect the Deep Edits System. You can check out Margie Lawson's Lecture Packets which has the Deep Edits System on the highlighted link.

We'll try to help each other with the beginning and check and see if we are correct or not, in what we perceive in our own work with the highlighting. So, bring the workshop handouts for reference, as I imagine there will be some serious thought going on during the meeting.

And bring your highlighters as well.

1. Three to five pages of beginning, five copies on plain paper.
2. One copy where you have done the Deep Edits highlighting.
3. Your Deep Edits System notebook or pages.
4. Highlighters
5. Ink pen.
6. Wearing a hat is optional...

Finish the durn book!

2009-04-03T10:59:00.004-05:00

Keeping up with schedule for the year, this is the month that you need to finish the first draft of your manuscript.

Egads!

That's it gang, do whatever you can to write 'The End' on that last manuscript pages. Don't worry about anything but getting it down on paper.

Next month, it will be all about the editing.

But this month, we'll be talking about the 'black moment' at our meeting. If you know what it is in your story, bring in the idea, summary, whatever. If you don't know, then bring in a summary of your story and let us brainstorm to get that perfect black moment, when it seems all is lost for your H/H.

For some fun, and because I'm fastly losing the hair, it's wear a Hat to the meeting. (Optional, of course.) Since Easter is a week away, it seems appropiate. Remember when you were a kid how much you wanted to wear a hat to go with the new shoes and dress for Easter.

Now if we only looked the model under the hat!

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We'll do that for another meeting...LOL

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So. Mark your calendar for tomorrow morning, ten o'clock for the brief meeting, eleven o'clock for the discussion on the 'Black Moment.'

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Lunch will be focused on the Pig Roast!

Coeur's Year Plan

2009-01-13T12:24:00.002-06:00

Here's the plan...

Beginning on Monday's we start 'checking in'...

The first challenge is to decide what book you are going to write or finish this year. You have a week to make a decision. Be ready next Monday, the 12th to have a manuscript in mind.

The second challenge is to figure out the market for said book. Who's purchasing that type of book, what is the necessary length, do you need an agent? Etc., Be ready the following Monday, the 19th to disclose your target markets.

The third challenge for January is Book in a Week. Yes you heard me. Start writing that book as fast as you can for one week. We start on January 26th - February 1st and report in on the 2nd as to how we did.

We also plan to have three speakers this year.

In between speakers we will be following the below schedule...

Finish the Book in a Week
Edit the Book in a Week
Critique the Book in a Week
Rewrite from the critiques of our Book in a Week
Writing the synopsis for our Book in a Week
Writing the query letter for our Book in a Week

The only two months that are set in stone are:
November - NaNoWriMo - National Novel Writing Month
December - Our Christmas Party

Quite an ambitious setting. But at the end of this year, you should have a completed manuscript, ready to go out the door, or ready for the Golden Heart. And the beginning of a new manuscript.

Donna Caubarreaux
President

November Speakers: Elaine Grant and Eleanor Cocreham

2008-10-28T20:50:00.007-05:00

Wow! Two published speakers at the next meeting.

On is left is Eleanor Cocreham, published by Wings ePress, and on the right is Elaine Grant, published by Harlequin Super Romance.

They will be open for questions on both ways of getting published.

Don't miss this exciting meeting.

Dawn Thompson

2008-04-21T10:26:00.003-05:00

Coeur de Louisiane is sad to report the death of member Dawn Thompson.

Dawn was the winner of our Romancing the Tome contest in 2003 with her historical entry, The Marsh Hawk.

She also wrote books under the name of Dawn McTavish.

She will be missed.

March 28, 1937 - February 8, 2008

Meet our Grand Prize Winner - Vicky Dreiling

2008-04-16T13:01:00.003-05:00

Meet the Grand Prize Winner of Coeur de Louisiane's Romancing the Tome Contest.

Vicky Dreiling...

Vicky and Coeur President Donna Caubarreaux were both attending NOLAStars Conference in Shreveport and had a chance to meet, and take photos.

It's the first time that a winner has been showcased on our blog, and hopefully, not the last time.

We hope that you sell soon Vicky!

April's Meeting - April 5th

2008-04-04T21:39:00.001-05:00

Will be on plotting...what is the easy way?

What makes it special?

What can I do to make it easy?

Romancing the Tome Winners

2008-02-14T23:59:00.004-06:00

Coeur de Louisiane is proud to announce the winners in Romancing the Tome Contest...

Erotic:
Theresa Stevens, Editor, Red Sage Publishing, Inc
1st - Afternoon Delight - Judi Phillips - Requested
2nd - Taylor's Tryst - Jacqueline Daher

Historical
Michelle Grajkowski, Agent, Three Seas Literary Agency
1sr - The Duchess Competition by Vicky Dreiling - Full Requested
2nd - Embrace the Swan by Christina L. Stambaugh
3rd - The King's Map by Sherry Brummel
4th - Celtic Sacrifice by Sheryl Brennan

Inspirational
Judged by Melissa Endlich, Editor, Steeple Hill Books
1st Place - Finally Found by Louise D. Foster
2nd Place - Lifetime Investment by Myra Johnson

Paranormal
Judged by Sean Mackiewicz, Editor, Nocturne
1st - The Reluctant Vampire by Kate MacEachern - Full Requested.
2nd - The Reluctant Amazon by Sandy James
3rd - Curse of the Dragon's Spell by Robin Haseltine
4th - Incredible Dreams by Sandra De Taranto
5th - Caught in the Middle by Carol R. Wood

Romantic Suspense
Judged by Scott Eagan of Greyhaus Literary Agency
1st - Rhodes Uncovered by Angela Platt
2nd - My Only Love by Martha Hoover
3rd - Neither Race Nor Creed by Ruth Logan Herne
4th - Love Unleased by Sarah McDermed

Series Contemporary
Natashya Wilson, Editor, Harlequin
1st - See Jane Run by Angela Platt - Full Requested
2nd - Run Silent by Kimberley Howe - Full Requested
3rd - Coming Home by Jennifer Harris - Full Requested
4th - My Brother's Keeper by Ruth Logan Herne - Full Requested
5th - The Spinnergig Curse by Greta MacEachern
6th - Reforming Finn by Ellie Huse

Single Title
Judged by Roberta Brown of Brown Literary Agency
1st - For Love of Ravioli by Laurie DeSalvo
2nd - Burnt Sugar by Rosemary Rothacker
3rd - Picket Fences by Sarah Sinclair
4th - Luna Red by Patricia Canavan

Honorable Mentions...
Given to the top five non-finalists...no matter what category
Hot Pursuit by Lynn Raye Harris
The Cleopatric Secret by Greta MacEachern
Crimes of the Past by Rosanne Anderson
A Reason to Dance by Glynna Kaye Sirpless
A Perfect Match by Sally Jane Driscoll

Grand Prize Winner of RWA Conference Fee in Cash!!!
The Duchess Competition by Vicky Dreiling

THE PRIVATEER by Dawn MacTavish

2008-01-08T17:24:00.000-06:00

Here's member Dawn MacTavish's newest release...

Lark at first hoped it was a simple nightmare: If she closed her eyes, she would be back in the mahogany bed of her spacious boudoir at Eddington Hall, and all would be well. Her father, the earl of Roxburgh, would not be dead by his own hand, and she would not be in Marshalsea Debtor's Prison.

Such was not to be. Ere the Marshalsea could do its worst, the earl of Grayshire intervened. Lark shivered, considering the mysterious stone-faced noble. He'd paid her bond while the rest of London turned an eye as blind as the one beneath his eye patch. But while his touch was electric and his gaze piercing, for what purpose had he bought her freedom? It was a plan including Cornwall, return to the world of the haute ton, and embroilment in a struggle against both England's own Admiralty and the French. But even more perilous, the ex-sea captain might plunder her heart. No, this was not a dream. As Lark would soon learn, her dreams had never ended so well.

Romancing the Tome Finalists...

2007-11-28T15:31:00.000-06:00

Coeur de Louisiane is proud to announce the finalists in Romancing the Tome Contest...

Historical
Celtic Sacrifice by Sheryl Brennan
Embrace the Swan by Christina L. Stambaugh
The Duchess Competition by Vicky Dreiling
The King's Map by Sherry Brummel

Inspirational (only two finalists due to low entry numbers)
Finally Found by Louise D. Foster
Lifetime Investment by Myra Johnson

Paranormal
Caught in the Middle by Carol R. Wood
Curse of the Dragon's Spell by Robin Haseltine
Incredible Dreams by Sandra De Taranto
The Reluctant Amazon by Sandy James
The Reluctant Vampire by Kate MacEachern

Romantic Suspense
Love Unleased by Sarah McDermed
My Only Love by Martha Hoover
Neither Race Nor Creed by Ruth Logan Herne
Rhodes Uncovered by Angela Platt

Series Contemporary (three way tie led to six finalists)
Coming Home by Jennifer Harris
My Brother's Keeper by Ruth Logan Herne
Reforming Finn by Ellie Huse
Run Silent by Kimberley Howe
See Jane Run by Angela Platt
The Spinnergig Curse by Greta MacEachern

Single Title
Burnt Sugar by Rosemary Rothacker
For Love of Ravioli by Laurie DeSalvo
Luna Red by Patricia Canavan
Picket Fences by Sarah Sinclair

Honorable Mentions...
Given to the top five non-finalists...no matter what category
Hot Pursuit by Lynn Raye Harris
The Cleopatra Secret by Greta MacEachern
Crimes of the Past by Rosanne Anderson
A Reason to Dance by Glynna Kaye Sirpless
The Perfect Match by Sally Jane Driscoll

Winners should be announced on February 14, 2008

November Featured Speaker, Beth Cornelison

2007-11-05T22:26:00.001-06:00

Here's a lovely picture of Beth Cornelison, along with her editor Allison Lyons. Both Beth and Allison have been judges in our Romancing the Tome Contest.

Beth will be speaking on "Breathing Life Into a Scene"...a topic that every writer should know.

So, join us at our next meeting. You won't be sorry!

Blood Moon by Dawn Thompson Released!

2007-05-20T12:22:00.001-05:00

Jon Hyde-White planned to become a vicar of a small parish and wed his fiancée Cassandra Thorpe. But his plans all came to an abrupt end one dark night in the seamy part of London. There he met Sebastian, an ancient vampire who mesmerized Jon, fed on him and left him for dead. However, Jon is not dead but in an in-between state… neither a vampire nor fully human. What is even worse, Sebastian followed Jon to complete what he started and attacked Cassandra, feeding on her as well. Jon was able to stop Sebastian but not before Cassandra too became a partially made vampire.

In his frenzy to find a cure for Cassandra and himself, Jon’s mentor, Vicar Snow, gives him a book which implies there may be help in Moldavia from the Orthodox clergy there. Before leaving on their journey, Jon and Cassandra want to marry but Rev. Snow refuses to sanctify the unholy creatures they have become. Jon and Cassandra go from one danger to another seeking release form the curse. Meanwhile they must avoid close contact with each other and the irresistible lure to feed.

Dawn Thompson is a new author for me and I am very thankful I was introduced to her work. I can honestly say I was enthralled, caught up in the tale of Jon and Cassandra. Every page tells of adventures fraught with danger and struggles to overcome the evil stalking them. Ms Thompson effortlessly draws in her readers as she vividly describes the settings, foggy dank London and stark mysterious Moldavia, causing hearts to race and furtive glances over the shoulder. She continues to control our imagination with her dialog which captures the emotion of her characters. BLOOD MOON is a different kind of vampire novel with a fresh storyline that has wonderful possibilities for revisiting the vampire world. Thank you, Ms Thompson, for the shivery spellbinding read that has me anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.

Reviewed by Donna Zapf - Cata-Romance

March Speaker: Barbara Colley

2007-03-08T09:04:00.000-06:00

Meet us at the Cottage on March 10th at 11:00am and meet Barbara Colley.

Topic of speech: Writing, It's a Mystery.

Barbara will explore the different aspects and elements involved in writing a mystery novel, and how it differs from other genres.

BIO
Barbara Colley is a native of Louisiana and the author of the widely acclaimed Charlotte LaRue mystery series set in the New Orleans Garden District. Barbara is also the author of seven romantic suspense novels that have been published in over sixteen foreign languages.

Barbara's books have appeared on bestseller lists, and she has also been the recipient of several awards including the Oklahoma RWA National Readers' Choice Award, The RWA Artemis Award, and the Distinguished Artist Award, in honor of outstanding contributions to the literary arts in Louisiana.

Maid For Murder, the first book in her Charlotte LaRue mystery series was nominated for a 2003 Romantic Times Book Club Reviewers' Choice Award. More recently, Barbara was selected as one of the Leading Women in Business by WLMG radio for the greater New Orleans area.

Barbara’s most recent novels are

Scrub-a-Dub Dead and Rachel’s War.

Romancing the Tome Winners!

2007-02-24T11:35:00.000-06:00

Coeur de Louisiane is proud to announce the winners in our 'Romancing the Tome' Contest.

Historical (Five places due to a tie)
1st - My Sweet Angel by Sydney Alfrido - partial requested
2nd - Shooting Stars by Anna E. Muzzy
3rd - A Real Husband by Missy Wickersham
4th - The Stranger She Married by Donna Hatch
5th - Fire at Midnight by Lisa Marie Wilkinson

Inspirational
1st - Sarah's Hope by Michelle D. Rodgers - Complete Requested
2nd - Song From the Heart by Denise G. Weeks
3rd - Here Comes the Wedding Planner by Kristin Wallace
4th - For Love of Glory by Andrea Shuman

Paranormal
1st - Queen in Exile by Donna Hatch
2nd - The Vampire, the Witch & the Wardrobe by Suzan Harden
3rd - Marooned by Jennie Manlick
4th - Boo, Baby by Jennifer A. McAndrews

Series Contemporary
1st - Fractured Paradise by Christine Keach - Partial Requested
2nd - Unconditional Love by Diane Burke
3rd - Charm School Warrior by Karen E. Foley
4th - Without Limits by Leslie Anne Lighton

Single Title
1st - Publish or Perish by Kerensa Brougham - Partial Requested
2nd - Come to Heal by Lyndell "Babe" King
3rd - American Man by Jennie Manlick
4th - Murphy's Law by Jennifer Kamptner

Honorable Mentions...
Hold on Tight by Robyn Grady
Until September by Barbara Longley
Countdown to Love by Cheryl Martin
Dark Guardian by Robin Perini
Hit or Myth by Maya Reynolds

Overall Winner of a RWA National Conference Fee goes to...
Shooting Stars by Anna E. Muzzy

Jennifer Blake's Newest Release...Rogue's Salute

2007-02-10T13:28:00.000-06:00

In 1842 New Orleans, fencing master Nicholas "La Roche" Pasquale meets church-pledged Juliette Armonte when she rescues his three year old ward from an angry male pursuer, who happens to be him. Nicholas tells her that Gabriel could use a mother so he proposes a marriage of convenience. To save the family legacy, a marriage chest, she accepts.

Juliette's twin sister Paulette wants to keep the marriage chest so she does her best to cause trouble in order for the relationship between Nicholas and her sibling to fall apart. For the most Nicholas ignores the irritating machinations until someone tries to kill Juliette; Nicholas assumes a desperate Paulette is behind the dastardly but potentially lethal attempts and he vows to stop her. Julietee knows the rivalry is intense due to the marriage chest, but she cannot accept her sibling would want her dead.

ROGUE'S SALUTE is a heated historical romance starring the latest Maitres des Armes (see DAWN ENCOUNTER and CHALLENGE TO HONOR) hero and the woman who proves his fencing equal. The story line focuses on a marriage of convenience turning into a marriage of love and passion and the suspense in the storyline enriches a fast-paced mid nineteenth century tale.

Harriet Klausner - Reviewer

WOW! for member Dawn Thompson

2007-02-04T13:58:00.000-06:00

Heard it through the blogging grapeline and on several loops that our own Dawn Thompson is up for either four or five P.E.A.R.L. Awards.

Mega congratulations Dawn, that is quite an accomplishment.

Winners will be announced later on this month.

You're already a 'winner' in our book, Dawn.

November's Speaker

2006-11-09T08:32:00.000-06:00

Due to a cancellation by a speaker, Donna Caubarreaux is stepping in to present her writing spreadsheet.

It's still a work in progress, but she's finding it handy to get a grip on her book.

She'll be bringing her computer, and going through each step of the process, from the Work in Progress, which if you answer all the questions you should be able to query at this point. That's scary!

Next comes the Storyboard, Hero and Heroine character charts, timeline, character chart and their function in the story, plot, scene and sequel, research, progress, tracking and finally editing.

The spreadsheet also contains comments and URL's to direct you on the correct path.

Donna has found that writing a book is the hardest thing she has ever done, but with the spreadsheet, she's able to manage her thoughts.

Copies of the worksheet will be available to all the members.

NaNoWriMo

2006-10-21T06:14:00.000-05:00

The challenge is on. Donna has signed up for the National Novel Writing Month set in November. The goal is to write a fifty thousand word novel in one month's time.

The gautlet has been thrown down...any takers?

Welcome to our online presence...

2006-10-07T13:54:00.000-05:00

Wow! What a journey.

We want to celebrate Dawn Thompson's newest release. See the cover on the side of the blog, and check out the fantastic review that she obtained. I found my copy at Wally World and snatched it up.

Our blogskin (I just learned this word last week) is rather bland, and I'm super busy with our contest at the moment, plus heading to a conference in New Orleans for a few days. So, it will be a week or so before the 'blog' reflects the chapter focus...romance writing.

We'll hopefully be posting here with news, celebrations, etc.