Progress and a Dilemma

Progress-

I have completed the full rough draft (really rough draft) of Karen and Kyra's story.  I need to complete the full rough draft of the teacher/writer story line (I am about half way through).  I am 11,000 polished words into the book.  I wish there were more hours in a day.

When I was a child I remember my mom saying "Think about all the things one could accomplish if we didn't need to sleep!"  At the time I didn't really understand what she meant...now I ponder if I could get by on a few less hours of sleep a night and spend that time writing.

Hmmm, if I did that I would probably become more strange and neurotic, not sure my family would like that.

A Dilemma-

Recently there was a book published using the title Where the Ocean Meets the Sky.  I wish that book and the author all the luck in the world and many copies sold, BUT, it leaves me finding a new title for my book.  (tear - I really liked the one I had)

Karen and Kyra's story is set on the west coast of Florida.  Karen looks to that point on the horizon where the sun sets to gather strength, to find hope, and to subside her fears.  The teacher/writer's (I haven't decided on her name yet) story is set on the coast of North Carolina.  She looks to that point on the horizon where the sun rises to gather peace for herself and inspiration to overcome writer's block and finish her novel...which is Karen and Kyra's story.  Both Karen and the teacher/writer rely on their view of where the ocean meets the sky to get them through tough times.

If you have any suggestions for the new title, please let me know.

Until next time...

Brooke

A Story To Be Told

 

Have you ever told someone about an experience that happened in your life and as you were telling your story, your mind wants to add to it.  Wants to add some details, some additional experiences, some lessons to be learned along the way.  Has this ever happened to you?

This has happened to me.  The original story is quite simple and ordinary...but the additions my mind wants to make are fantastic and extreme.

The story, so ordinary and simple, has become a wonderful walk through the life of a young woman who didn't have a support system in her teens or early 20s.  Then she met the man of her dreams who gave her a beautiful little girl.  This 'man of her dreams' turns out to be so much less then that.  He turns out to be a thoughtless, selfish man who, in a single afternoon, destroys her security and self worth.


There she stands, tears tracking down her face, her heart completely shattered, and in her right hand...the tiny hand of her little girl.  It is her job to protect and care for her little girl by herself...and at this moment...she has nothing.

What would you do if you found yourself penniless, homeless, with no one in the world to call for help and a little girl to care for...seriously...what would you do?

Where the Ocean Meets the Sky walks through this story and explains exactly what Karen did to survive and to protect her baby girl.  This story of ingenuity, survival, and the intense love a mother has for her child will touch your heart and make you cry.  At least, that is what it does for me as I write it.

Thanks for reading,

Brooke

Where the Ocean Meets the Sky

(Possible first paragraph)

Her plane begins descending through the clouds and will be landing in Boston in a few moments.  The view of the horizon through the aircraft's window is beautiful.  What a wonderful late spring day.  In a few days, her daughter will be graduating from Harvard Law School.  Karen is beaming with pride for her daughter's accomplishments, but her forehead has worry lines.  She worries that Kyra's adult life will contain the same pain and anguish that her's did.  She has done her best to protect Kyra through her childhood until now. Letting go of Kyra, the child, to become Kyra, the woman, will be harder then she ever thought it would be.

(A quote from later in the book)

She sits on the bench and pulls her sweater around her a little tighter to keep out the cool evening breeze.  The moonlight is dancing on the water.  The water looks so beautiful; a wonderful bluish black color with moonlight dancing atop so perfectly.  Her mind takes her back to the first time she saw moonlight reflect off ocean water.

It was the middle of July and she was 17.  She and her parents had just moved to Clearwater, Florida, from Ohio.  Her parents were.... (interested?)

I have an anouncement to make...

This blog...So, Whatcha Think? is going to be changed (for a time) to the Where the Ocean Meets the Sky blog.

The book, So Whatcha Think? is currently on hold until some milestones and speed bumps can be overcome.  I hope you are not upset by this.  Please understand...it is what it is.

Where the Ocean Meets the Sky was the second manuscript behind So, Whatcha Think? and was to be published after.  But it appears it will be published prior to the release of So, Whatcha Think?.

This blog will begin to cronicle the writing of and up to the publishing of, Where the Ocean Meets the Sky.

I sincerely hope you stick around and continue to read this blog and follow along.

Please understand...So, Whatcha Think? will be published, but not until it is ready.  Your attention and following of this book is not in vein.

Thank you staying on board this crazy train!

Sincerely and THANK YOU for reading...

Brooke Ryter

Update on Mrs. Berris and Aunt Ellie

Aunt Ellie and Mrs. Berris is a story I wrote back in April 2012. It was a flash fiction of 1000 words or less.  The story is fiction based on a few actual truths.  If you haven't read it before, read it before continuing to read this post.

My son and his family, which includes my 3 year old grandson, moved in with my Mom a few days ago.  Last night, my son and I had the following text conversation.

Him - Mom, is this house haunted?

Me - That depends on if you believe.  Say hi to Mrs. Berry for me…bwahahaha

Him - We have heard footsteps on the second floor two mornings in a row with solid proof no one is up there.  Like today, I heard them right before I left with Grandpa for work.  He was in the kitchen like 10 seconds before I walked in and Steve was right behind me.  Everyone else was asleep.  Then Heidi heard it again and again, so she got up to check, and Grandma and Chris were still asleep.

Me - Her name is Mrs. Berry. She is harmless as long as you don’t anger her by being afraid of her.  It is okay to talk to her, she likes it.  She loves children. She always made sure you stayed covered up on cold nights when we lived in the house. She probably remembers you. The house was a wedding gift to her from her new husband nearly 100 years ago. They lived, loved, and raised their children in that house. After she died, Mr. Berry couldn’t stand to be in the house without her, so he sold it…to your grandparents. Just say…Hello Mrs. Berry, and know, she is always keeping an eye on your son. You are safest in the house with her there.

Me - She can’t leave the house because she can’t bring herself to leave the memory of her wonderful life there. That is where her children were born and came home to on Christmas. That is where she lived her life with her true love. It is a wonderful story.

Me - We used to live upstairs with her. I appreciated all the trouble and harm she kept you and your brother from getting into. Again, tell her I said hi.

Him - So this is truly real? Because we have heard true footsteps up there one after another all the way across the room above us.

Me - Yes, it is truly real. But zero reason to be afraid. I see her as the best Great Aunt and Nanny I could have had. She is/was a wonderful and caring woman.

Me - If you are hearing her, she is testing you to see if you are afraid. Really, just talk to her and you will hear her less. But, every now and then you will hear something fall in another room that shouldn’t have fallen. When this happens…check the children…she is trying to tell you something is wrong.

Me - Ask your Grandma about her.  She knows the whole story.  I met Mr. Berry not long before he died. He came to the house one last time to tell his love goodbye.  She won’t hurt you, she will keep you safe. Treasure her presence like I did when I lived there.

Me - By the way, your bedroom, the bathroom, the storage room, the kitchen, the laundry room, and the sunroom are all additions to the original house.  Those additions are all single story…there is no room above your bedroom.

Me - Sleep well Son.  Goodnight Mrs. Berry.

Him – Goodnight Mom…GOODNIGHT MRS. BERRY!

So…tell me…do you believe?

Chapter 2

Chapter 2 Cover

(There will be 5 chapters released prior to the books publish date.  This is the first of those chapter releases.  Each chapter release will have a different cover.  After the last release, all covers will be posted along with a poll on my Author Website for the reader's vote.  The cover with the most votes will become the cover of the book when published.  An Adobe PDF file of this chapter is available for download and saving at my Author Website.)

Chapter 2

OUR ANGEL BABY, OUR LOVE

  

She stood still, her back pressed against the wall as she looked down at the kitchen timer clutched in her hand. The countdown from 5 minutes seemed to be taking an hour. The pregnancy test sat alone in the center of the bathroom counter top.

It had been 4 years since they first began trying to have a baby and her period has never been late. This month, it was late. She waited two full weeks before buying the test. Disappointment had become a monthly experience and she was trying not

Beta Readers

Beta Readers - what are they and why do I want (need) them?

What They Are?

According to Wikipedia, a Beta Reader is someone who reads a written work, generally fiction, with what has been described as "acritical eye, with the aim of improving grammar, spelling, characterization, and general style of a story prior to its release to the general public."

The author or writer, who can be referred to as the alpha reader, may use several "betas" prior to publication. The term "beta" is an appropriation from the software industry which uses the terms "alpha" and "beta" for software that are internal works in progress and publicly released tests, respectively (though a "beta" version may still be tested internally). While the use of the concept and the term is most common among fan fiction writers, it is growing in popularity with novelists, to the point where some have thanked their beta readers (sometimes even referring to them as such) in their acknowledgments. A beta reader, who may or may not be known to the author, can serve as proofreader of spelling and grammar errors or as a traditional editor, working on the "flow" of prose. In fiction, the beta might highlight plot holes or problems with continuity, characterisation or believability; in fiction and non-fiction, the beta might also assist the author with fact-checking.

Other types of writing groups have been known to use the French term, critiquer or the abbreviated, informal version, critter in the same context as beta reader.

Why Do I Want (Need) Them?

To me, the Beta Readers are invaluable.  Each one of them critique and comment differently.  Each gives me different depth and comments on the written work.  Each one is bold enough to say things like "this part needs help" or "there is a hole here" or "try this instead of that" or "add more imagery here" or "the flow is good, the characters are fine, but add another paragraph here with more detail" etc., etc.  One Beta Reader sent me back one of my chapters with the statement "this chapters SUCKS!  Try it again."  This is what I need and want from them.

What I don't need is the written work coming back with just one or two small comments along with the statement "the story is great!".  I need them to shred and tear it up and to give me their honest and brutal take on the work.

I take all of their comments and address each one.  I meld together what works and take out what doesn't, while staying true to my own judgement and the path I want the work to follow.

What I end up with is the story that lived in my mind and I was trying to get onto paper.  When reading ones own writing, many things are missed.  With the Beta Readers, I miss less and my writing is better because of their comments.

I can't say enough wonderful things about my Beta Readers.

All I can do is hope they know how much I appreciate their help, efforts, and honesty.

You guys are the BEST!!

Thank you!

Brooke

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 Cover

(There will be 5 chapters released prior to the books publish date.  This is the first of those chapter releases.  Each chapter release will have a different cover.  After the last release, all covers will be posted along with a poll on my Author Website for the reader's vote.  The cover with the most votes will become the cover of the book when published.  An Adobe PDF file of this chapter is available for download and saving at my Author Website.)

It Won’t Be You I Hurt

She packs up quickly so she can get out the front door of her office building right at 5:00 o’clock. She has to get home before he does. Every day is a challenge to get home first. Traffic seems to be getting heavier and the stoplights longer.

She walks briskly to her car, throws her briefcase and purse across the front

I Received Constructive Criticism...

...regarding the FREE First Chapter Download.  I pondered and the commenter makes a point.

The first Chapter Download was released as a PDF file on June 15th on my Author Website.  When the reader clicks on the Download button, the file opens in their

I Want This Room!!

Some day when I am fich and ramous (because I will never be rich and famous) I am going to have one of these rooms built in my house!!!

Doesn't this look like a lovely place to spend the afternoon...every afternoon.

Shhh...don't interrupt my daydreaming.  =)

Have a great 4th of July!!

How Many of These 100 Books Have YOU Read?

On LibraryThing.com this morning and found this and I found it to be interesting...and...it made me wonder the same thing about you.

How Many of These 100 Books Have YOU Read?

Comment with your answer.

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte

My Life Right Now

Sierra, the Wonder Dog!
(When this pic was taken she was only 7 months old...that's right, I said 7 months!

I work full time.  I am training (trying to anyway) a 10 month old Weimaraner (who weighs about 60 pounds) the basics.  You know, sit, stay, down, STOP JUMPING

FREE Chapter Download

The FREE Chapter download is available for your downloading and reading pleasure.  Go to Brooke Ryter's Author Website to download the file.


Click on the Click Here to Download Chapter. The file is an Adobe PDF.  If you do not

FREE First Chapter Download (Oh, the fear!)

On June 15th, the first chapter of this book will be available for FREE download.  Although I am excited, I am also petrified.  This will be the first public release of any part of the book.  There is fear of how it will be received, will readers like it, will they hate it, will the chapter do what it is intended to do; create a conversation among the

Versatile Blogger Award

Recently I was honored (and I truly mean honored) by JenniferChow.  She kindly nominated me for the Versatile Blogger Award.  (sniff, sniff, tear)  Thank you Jennifer very much.  Visit her blog and show her some love.

According to the rules, I must

Writer's Corner

Through the research I have done for the publishing of my book, I have gathered TONS of information about self publishing and writing tips and tricks I have found useful in the writerly process.

Keeping this information tucked in my reference binder for only my eyes seems a bit selfish.  I don't want to be a selfish clod, so I am posting the information in the Writer's Corner.

I will add

Fifty Shades of Grey…The Critics, The Reviews, The Readers, The Success

People either LOVE this book or they HATE this book.  According to Amazon’s star ratings at the time this was typed, the book had 1,963 5-stars and 1,309 1-star and the combined total of  2- through 4-stars was 1,158.

4,430 Reviews

5 star:		(1,963)
4 star:		(464)
3 star:		(312)
2 star:		(382)
1 star:		(1,309)

I have read some of the critic reviews

Women and Children Camping

Our Circle

There is the saying; Girlfriends are sisters we choose for ourselves.  Which is true in my life.  There is the saying; Sisters by Chance, Friends by Choice.  Which is also true in my life.

There comes a point in your life when you realize who really matters, who never did, and who always will. - Unknown

I came to that point of realizing who matters and who doesn’t.  I got rid of the riff raff and

MNINB (MY NAME IS NOT BOB)

In April, I took part in the April Platform Challenge hosted by Robert Lee Brewer through his MY NAME IS NOT BOB blog.  It was amazing how many people took part in this challenge.  We would comment on the daily task post with our opinion of the task, an update when we completed the task, and advice to others participating.  It didn’t take long before

Time Management for Working, Writing, and Platform Development

Writing requires time management and social media (platform building) management and that schedule takes a little while to get right...and even then there is always something that alters the schedule a bit.  I sometimes still get a little overwhelmed.  I felt extremely overwhelmed when I first added platform building last fall on top of a full time job and writing my book.  I had Facebook, RedRoom, Twitter, Google+, and a few other sites I was trying to manage.   My commute to work is an hour each way, I am