Best piece of advice...

So, I know I have seen this question asked a number of times, and I am always inspired, interested, illuminated and a host of other "i" words when it comes to people's answers!

The question - what is the best piece of advice you have ever received when it comes to your writing?

As I madly finish my MSS for 5DI, I wonder what lights the fire under others!?

Cheerio,
Amanda

Long time between posts...

...hi there anyone who may still remotely have me attached to their site.

I am back in the world of blogging.

Blown away by the 5DI announcement and thought it would be great to get back into the blogging world!

So, look forward to sharing and caring...

Amanda

Conference - who's in?!

Hey Guys,

If anyone is still out there with me on their radar... my mojo has been slow to return, but it is finding a resurgence!

Just a quick one to ease back into the frey... who will be in Brissy this year? Have just booked flights and accommodati0n - so I am there!

Hope all is well... what's news?!

Amanda

I am back....

Nothing like six months between posts...

So much has happened in my little world... however I am here and ready to write again!

Look forward to tuning in to you all again!


Amanda

"Voice" Workshop...

Hey there Everyone,

So sorry I have been AWOL for some time... life - it has been a little on the challenging side over the past couple of months!

HOWEVER - on top now I hope and have started Barbara Samuel's six week course in understanding your individual writing voice... so far it has been a little confronting (and we're at week one!!) however, I am so pleased to be doing something to hone my craft!

I must admit I lost a little confidence after the conference. I think it all became a little overwhelming! NOT TO WORRY - I have started to get my writing mojo back just by simply HAVING to write for the workshops....

I am planning to enter two of the RWA comps that close early next year... and not sure whether I will use the MS I have been working on or one of the other adventures swirling in and out of my mind...

A good time to mention all the success beaming around some of my favourit ladies - Sandie, Suz and Rach you rock - a great inspiration to me... all of you!

Well that is it for me - back on board at least...now I am going to go and search out how I join the NaNoWriMo?!

Amanda

What is suspense...?

Romantic Suspense... I love to read them and I am in raptures when writing one - I want to write one really well... and so I have some questions for you to ponder... let's call it research!!!

If you had to describe what makes something "suspenseful" in twenty five words or less - what would it be? What are the feelings that need to be evoked for suspense? Are there particular smells, sight or sounds that are always present.... what sensory triggers equal suspense for you?

Here are the descriptions offered on a dictionary reference site:

sus·pense – noun sus·pense·ful - adjective
1.a state or condition of mental uncertainty or excitement, as in awaiting a decision or outcome, usually accompanied by a degree of apprehension or anxiety.
2.a state of mental indecision.
3.undecided or doubtful condition, as of affairs: For a few days matters hung in suspense.
4.the state or condition of being suspended.

I know that suspense has been well achieved for me as a reader when at any given moment I am:

* holding my breath

* gripping the chair/doona cover/book cover for dear life

* sweating (no not perspiring - armpits dripping sweat!)

* my heart is racing

* there is ringing in my ears (weird I know...)

* the slightest twang of noise has me leaping for the roof

* I can taste and smell the fight or flight response in the hero/heroine

* I can't read fast enough to find out what is going to happen next...

So dear reader... what does it for you - suspense wise - what MUST be present to have you wanting more (no matter the physiological agony you are experiencing at the time!!)...

AK

Not good at the waiting game...

Hi One and All,

Just a short first post to say howdy and have something on the page... Amanda Knight - writer of Romantic Suspense...mostly... I am dabbling in a few other lines, however, think this may be the driving force behind my sleepless nights and mad scribblings in the wee hours of the morning!

I am currently working on submitting my first manuscript and have several waiting in the wings to "get out" onto the page (don't we all!). After attending the recent RWA Conference in Melbourne I am ready and raring to go as fast as my other worldly commitments will allow me!

I wanted to wait until I had my blog sparkling with information, wit and candour before launching my first post, however, Christmas is coming and will surely be here before I have any words on the page at the rate I am going!

So here it is the first post... I look forward to the comments of kindreds and sharing of the laughter, tears and triumphs of our journeys - both those already published, and those on the merry go round of trying to be published!

Cheers!
AK