tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1974629125035003252012-01-26T05:09:20.793-06:00WORDS - What pleasure to string words together - And play with structure and style - What joy to know the finished work - Can lead a soul to smile! I RocheIta Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.comBlogger391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-31564550462496722772010-07-13T12:44:00.019-05:002010-07-21T10:10:45.107-05:00

Yes, it happened – I spilled tea on my, relatively new, and very expensive laptop. I couldn’t believe it. I was always so careful. And from the time my daughter was old enough to tap her tiny fingers on the keypad I have preached about the importance of never having liquid of any sort near the computer. I was stunned, speechless, and that’s a rear happening for me I can assure you. So what did

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-63252490002676204922010-07-01T05:29:00.012-05:002010-07-05T14:18:56.269-05:00

Why pay a professional to critique your work – why not just get a very honest friend or family member who is capable of being objective to do it for you?I’ll tell you why – without meaning to offend anyone, they are not lightly to know what to look for in the processional sense of what you as the writer need in a critique.Yes, they will spot some major error in your writing, which is great – like

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-65516262805335935112010-06-18T15:05:00.011-05:002010-09-08T16:10:59.129-05:00

The open door!Ok, in the last post I talked about writing with the door closed – bliss, painless, no judgement from anyone – not even your inner critique, if you’re very lucky.With the door closed, your work is not open to an onslaught of the judgment from your critiques. But in the second draft, you are preparing to show your manuscript to family, friends, etc, so therefore the second draft

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-10779311163978319972010-06-07T06:34:00.011-05:002010-06-17T07:11:07.725-05:00

Stephan King, in his amazing book “On Writing” said that we must write first with the door closed before writing with the door open. As a writer battling with Dyslexia, I would like to elaborate on that a little more.For now, I will focus on writing with the door closed and cover writing with the door open in the next post.What the great King of writing is referring to keeping ones writing

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-6995768020909285772010-03-15T05:27:00.005-05:002010-03-16T06:41:09.058-05:00

So You Think You Have Nothing To Write About – Think Again!I hate negativity, I really do, and I make no apologies for avoiding negative people like the plague. When I see the black cloud descending, I leg-it!But as much as I hate negativity in other people, I absolutely loath it in myself. And, as a writer, I found that negativity – the daemon it is – has the audacity to voice its unwanted

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-40555890840105752052010-02-15T16:13:00.002-06:002010-02-17T12:00:01.160-06:00

As writers, there are things we have to pay serious attention to outside of our writing and one of them is backup. It’s too late when the computer crashes to start thinking about backing up your work. Personally I use a USB pen to backup when I finish each session, and then at the end of every day I use the Click-free. It’s idiot proof, which suits me. You simply plug it in and it gets to work.

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-32981426494329643502010-02-15T15:52:00.014-06:002010-02-21T03:53:59.569-06:00

Following in the footsteps of Catherine Caffeinated – a blog I torridly enjoy – here are five things you may not know about me. Catherine covered ten things in her blog but I am gong to drop in a few things from time to time so you can get to know me a bit better. • I am so dyslexic that I am beginning to believe that when the Good Lord was putting me together He got my bits all mixed up and

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-27907703279050403502010-02-15T15:37:00.006-06:002010-02-15T15:52:03.920-06:00

It's midterm brake for school children, and the weather’s to be lousy, so were off to see The Princess and The Frog tomorrow. We being, my daughter Nicole, and one of her BFFs, Róisín. Girls day out, and as a rule, most enjoyable. I don’t have a lot of details on it. I know it’s Disney and Oprah Winfrey does the voice over for Tiana’s Mother so that was enough to get me buying the tickets.I

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-71611445255098955282010-01-28T00:46:00.008-06:002010-02-21T16:48:05.060-06:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxUulGkLu4ITo be successful as a writer, one spends endless hours in front of the screen between reading and sending emails, social networking, blog posts, and our manuscripts – all of which are very essential. But from time to time, we also need to raise our heads and have a good laugh. With that in mind, grab a cuppa, take a break, and enjoy the following – I did.

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-36292834546341492322010-01-25T08:45:00.011-06:002010-01-25T12:28:37.793-06:00

Look folk; there is no “What If” module you can take to guarantee success in the writing world. You can spend the rest of your life saying, what if the publishers don’t like it, or what if I can’t get an agent, or what if I get bogged down half way through my book, or what if no one ever likes my work, and it won’t get you anywhere. But before I tell you that your going to have to

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-70288513663270035732009-12-21T05:49:00.003-06:002009-12-21T05:55:17.060-06:00

Remember, If you can't find Christmas in your heart, you won't find it under the tree!

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-65192883713246636982009-12-09T10:50:00.003-06:002009-12-09T10:52:52.198-06:00

Sorry for being so super quite of late - up to my tonsils moving house. Catch up sooooooon

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-25320547454370543942009-10-27T07:06:00.017-05:002009-10-27T10:47:00.886-05:00

At a conference I attended, Charley "Tremendous" Jones said, “If you want people to remember the point you’re making, tell them a story or show them a picture. They will remember the story and the point you’re making long after they have forgotten your name.”Where I am not concerned with you remembering my name, I do hope you will remember the following points when writing for the younger

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-9386841956146312162009-10-27T05:14:00.015-05:002009-10-27T10:19:00.089-05:00

If a child loves a story, they will tell anyone who will listen.Think about it: mammy, daddy, brothers, sisters, friends, teachers, even strangers at the supermarket will get the low down of something that really captures a child's heart: what better publicity!Capture the hearts of the little ones.Just a thoughtIta

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-47791020840829604322009-10-27T05:11:00.016-05:002009-10-27T10:44:36.224-05:00

While it's vital to develop the characters in your story - it is equally important that they don't develop too soon!Develop your characters with careJust a thoughtIta

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-30943588697438294542009-10-27T05:07:00.018-05:002009-10-27T10:14:58.413-05:00

We all like to think our little darlings are geniuses but the reality is - few actually are - therefore it's very important to get the reading age right!Be realistic about reading ageJust a thoughtIta

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-82013372115398567872009-10-22T09:17:00.012-05:002009-10-27T10:22:22.114-05:00

The importance of being universal: your books must travel:Although the first time I heard the above statement the agent speaking was referring to children’s books, it rings true for all categories of writing. I will admit that I wasn’t quite sure what she was referring to at first, but once she elaborated I realized it was another little nugget of information that made absolute sense once

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-53969090980248048742009-10-02T12:11:00.008-05:002009-10-27T10:23:05.574-05:00

Beauty speaks for itself.Note the woman depicted here doesn’t need designer clothes, makeup, jewellery, or props of any sort to accentuate her beauty.It would serve us well to remember that in our writing.Never kill natural beauty with details.Just a thoughtIta

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-77701616664742313732009-10-02T04:42:00.007-05:002009-10-02T04:54:20.808-05:00

Just a little something we all can learn from.May the sun always stay shining in your world.Ita

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-62706120104280961252009-10-02T03:45:00.007-05:002009-10-27T10:24:10.383-05:00

The Aran jumper in this picture stands out a mile and poses endless possibilities. Why is she wearing it? What’s the relevance? Where did she get it? Was it a present? Is she wearing it for comfort? Is she just cold? Is there any relevance, and if not - should it be in the picture at all?If you draw attention to something in your writing that stands out like the Aran cardigan, you had better have

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-29488298877098392002009-10-02T03:28:00.005-05:002009-10-27T10:25:08.719-05:00

This could work if you’re talking about hallucinations, or, is it planted there to make someone think they are hallucinating – don’t be afraid to play with props and think outside the box. Make sure your props always be plausible.Just a thoughtIta

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-165949508331426752009-09-23T01:13:00.007-05:002009-09-23T01:56:22.222-05:00

Anyone up to taking on a 100 day challenge with me?Yes, hard to credit but there are only 100 days left in 2009 folk. And a friend has just challenged me to work on my novel every day for those 100 days.The enthusiast in me prompted the an instant reply of - hell yeah, no problem, but, when one takes into account the craziness that is part and parcel of the close of every year, it's actually

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-61209149384832371592009-09-11T07:24:00.002-05:002009-09-11T07:29:15.832-05:00

Today I post a candle and pause to remember all whose lives ended so tragedy 11/9/01Gone but not forgotten.

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-5825442857852601432009-09-02T11:40:00.002-05:002009-09-02T11:46:31.066-05:00

"My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way." Ernest Hemingway

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-4245937301264942442009-09-01T01:53:00.011-05:002009-10-27T10:26:53.337-05:00

In all things, attitude not aptitude decides the altitude. I will say that again – in ALL things, it is ATTITUDE, not aptitude that decides the altitude.Have you ever known anyone to succeed at anything by believing they couldn’t?If there’s one statement I can nail my colours to the mast on; it’s that attitude not aptitude decides the altitude. NO, I’m not just rattling off platitudes here, I am

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-32108061699958385052009-08-31T01:19:00.013-05:002009-09-01T12:02:27.399-05:00

“My candle burns at both endsIt may not last the night,But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends –It gives a lovely light!”Enda St Vincent MillarAs a writer, you have to be prepared to burn your candle at both ends. Actually; might be a good idea to get in a few dozen.While writing, you will be tired beyond belief, excited beyond recognition, and at times, as cranky as a pre-menstrual insomniac. You

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-23681261601138889272009-08-28T01:12:00.005-05:002009-09-01T12:03:05.617-05:00

Yes, I said what you think I said. This signifies my Bullshit Barometer.I have one. I honestly believe most people have one. And, I sincerely advise those who haven’t got one - get one.Apart from being one of those essential little things to save our sanity during these challenging times, it’s every writers must-have.What exactly do I use my Bullshit Barometer for I hear you ask – well,

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-18708573798629760892009-08-27T00:44:00.009-05:002009-08-27T01:47:35.116-05:00

I love Quotes, I really do – thus, I simply must share with you this little gem by Montesquieu about authors that I came across today.I do hope you get the same kick out of it that I did.Authors: A fool who, not content with boring those who lived with him/her to death, insists on tormenting generations to come!Light & LaughterIta

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-59833934375628510462009-08-26T11:45:00.021-05:002009-09-01T12:04:17.771-05:00

Some writers are very organized in how the structure a story.Note – I did say some writers. Second note – I’m not one of them. Third note – I am not referring to the discipline here.Writing, researching, reading, editing, ect are all part and parcel of the daily discipline of being a novelist. What I am addressing here is how some writers structure their stories.Personally, I cannot sit down and

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-53566331049850922972009-08-22T12:38:00.015-05:002009-09-01T12:06:10.639-05:00

Let’s talk about passion.Chances are pretty-high that your readers will know a thing or two about passion, so if you’re not telling it like it is – it’s lightly your going to loose the reader on this one. Get real about passion. It’s the 21st Century after all, and there’s nothing worse than a bad passion scene in a book. I know we need a build up, a bit of suspense, and a bit of sexual tension,

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-71135855935639309342009-08-19T06:48:00.010-05:002009-09-01T12:06:47.639-05:00

Here is a character doing something you won’t see everyday.Take the dog for a run!Adding something different, as the picture here suggests, is a wonderful way of showing a real quirky side to a character. Stretch your mind to find ways to show characters personality through their actions.I have a file on my laptop called, “Show Me” and when I find new pictures, I pop them into it. I refer to it

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-44165956587093893372009-08-15T03:50:00.010-05:002009-09-01T12:07:28.309-05:00

The simplicity of kids! As with the picture here, you have to grab your reader’s attention straight off the bat. You don’t have pages to play with. You don’t even have lines to play with. You need to hook your reader straight away.We all have a certain genre of reading that we naturally gravitate towards, and we seldom swing too far outside that field. When we do, it’s usually because the book in

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-46392591421708430862009-08-13T12:43:00.020-05:002009-09-01T12:08:13.453-05:00

TRUTHThe truth it lies with all its glory-That voice from deep within,Once spoken shatters all the lies –The tangled mass of sin.I RocheIf one were not a writer, then perhaps one could be forgiven for glamorizing the art. Images of basking in the sunshine – pen, notebook, or laptop at hand, occasionally sipping tequila, while inspiration flows freely from the consciousness for the next best

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-78071833063059264122009-08-12T06:19:00.010-05:002009-09-01T12:08:52.251-05:00

At a glance, I am sure you would agree the train displayed here is just a tad overloaded. And by no stretch of the imagination is it pleasing to the eye. Ok, the train might still bring them all where they are going, (if it doesn’t collapse under the weight) but the beauty of the train is certainly well and truly lost.In writing, your stories may begin like a powerful train heading in one

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-62410329226215297732009-08-10T09:35:00.006-05:002009-09-01T12:09:36.727-05:00

Adding the soft-touch to your villain makes your story real. Displaying tenderness in an otherwise tough character is portrayed beautifully in the above picture.The simplicity of it caught my attention.The onus is on the writer to provide fully developed characters with which the reader can relate. Nobody is all-bad – even the horrific Hannibal Lecter loved music and was a brilliant pianist. The

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-10475963440771472782009-08-09T13:57:00.009-05:002009-09-01T12:10:39.028-05:00

I have heard it said that love is in the detail – the devil is in the detail, and description is in the details. But, when writing, be careful NOT to give too many details. Description is vital to paint the picture for the reader, but subtly, using all the senses to engage the reader. Show your reader the red hat only if the red hat is important. You can win or loose your reader in the details!

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-68431608452569174172009-08-09T13:24:00.012-05:002009-09-01T12:11:25.242-05:00

How many wedding album have you looked at only to see the same style of photo’s. After a while, they become predictable. You know what to expect, there's no excitement to entice one to turn the pages. One longs for something new.In the above picture, the bride is portrayed in a new refreshing light and it is fabulous too look at. If I saw that in an album, I would have to turn the page and see

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-35853167405459203942009-08-07T10:42:00.007-05:002010-02-23T22:22:44.012-06:00

Flash fiction story writing is an art in itself. The complete story is narrated in anything from 100 to 500 words. The shorter the story the better. To construct a complete story within this word count can be incredibly difficult, but beneficial to hone ones skill to make every word count. Basically, flash fiction is telling the story in a nutshell, and for that, you need a collection of great

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-197462912503500325.post-89415871715785865662009-08-06T04:04:00.002-05:002009-09-01T12:12:37.752-05:00

Is your novel the first thing you think about every morning and the last thing on your mind as you turn out the light? Are you prepared to do whatever it takes? Do you eat, sleep, and breathe, your novel? Do you make excuses why you can’t write, or find solutions to any obstacle thrown in your way? And, do you have faith – faith in yourself, and in your writing?Writing in the morning:On rising,

Ita Roche Authorhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07094968663568205160noreply@blogger.com0