Happy Holidays

If twos company and threes a coward, then who are all these other people? Keeping the Focus on one story at a time

How many times has this happened to you?

You’re in the middle of writing what is surely to become the next best seller. The story is flowing, you’ve got your writing muse working overtime, the story is unfolding and all is right with the world when, there’s this guy name Joe and he starts telling you about what happened when he bumped into this woman on his way into this club down on 42nd street.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch someone left the barn door open and Mrs. O’Riley’s bull is now on a rampage in the local china shop. And hey, buddy, you wanna put that away.

By now you’re wondering who the heck are all these people and how did they get in my head?

Good news, you haven’t lost your mind, yet. So put down the Jack, flush the pharmaceutical and just take a deep breath. Welcome to my world, you’re a writer.

As I wander through this writer’s maze, I constantly find myself being pulled from one story to the next. Once I accepted the fact that I am a writer and therefore must write, I sought to focus and complete each story as my characters spoke and presented it to me. But it would seem some of my characters lack the patience or decorum to wait their turn to have their story written down.

I quickly realized unless I laid down some guidelines I would never complete anything. You see I’m the boss and I just needed to make my characters aware of that fact. Yeah, didn’t go over so well when I relayed it to them either.

Howsoever, I am focusing on writing one story at a time. And, yes, there are those characters that simply refuse to remain silent. Never, would I tell them to shut up and go back to the recesses of my subconscious. My worst fear, they would stay there and remain silent.

I found the best way to handle outspoken characters is to simply jot down their name, the jest of what their story is about. Thank them for bringing their story to my attention, point out that I’m currently in middle of another story at the moment. But I assure them that their story will be written by me, eventually. Of course I never, ever give a definite time line of when their story will be written. Believe me they will call you on it.

So, how’s it working it out you might be curious to know. Well let’s just say, I’m taking it one day, one story at a time. There are days when it still gets a little crowded like Grand Central Station with everyone wanting to hope on board the let’s write this story now express. But I’ll let you in on a little secret.

I wouldn’t trade this writer’s life for anything,

A.M. Wells

Listen Up: When a character speaks

So, I started this new story and it’s coming along. It's flowing. My fingers are flying across the keys. All of a sudden the heroine starts talking to me about taking the story in a new direction. Okay, so she starts talking and I’m typing. The story is still flowing. Then whoa, hold up. She just said the “S.E.X.” word. And to be honest I’m just not ready to go there with her and the hero.

I mean I wanted them to really get to know each other first before doing the deed. Maybe around chapter 23 or after the wedding, but no, she wants it and she wants it now. I gotta tell ya, it totally killed the flow.

Rather than argue the point, I hit the save key, closed the program and put my computer to sleep for the night. Now I’m in my jammies, I’ve said my prayers and now it’s off to dream land. Or so I thought. You guessed it. She’s there in my head. Heck, I swear I can see her sitting on the foot of my bed talking a mile a minute.

It’s obvious my heroine is not going to let me get any sleep until we have it out. And just in case you were wondering, here’s how it went down.

Me: I just don’t think you should sleep with a guy you’ve only known for two days.

Heroine: Why not? If you would go back and write it, you would know that we’ve actually spent the last two and a half days getting to know each other.

Me: Yes, I’m aware of that, but still…

Heroine: Oh, stop being such a prude already. He and I are not just jumping into bed with each other. We’ve talked, laughed, danced, and shared with each other. He’s going back to his family and responsibilities. I just want to spend one night with him, make a memory. Hey, I’m not looking for happily ever after.

Me: Ah, I don’t know, you are going to see each other again, can’t you wait until then.

Heroine: Look, I don’t know what's going to happen next, I only know what I’m feeling right now and I want to be with him. So, quit belly aching and write what I’m telling you.

Long story short I’m up at 3am writing the scene just as the heroine is telling it to me.

Bottom line: when a character speaks, listen up or you’ll never get any sleep.

I tell ya, this chick is a trip.

Heroine: I heard that.

A.M. Wells

Book Review: The Critic by Dyanne Davis

First let me start by saying how much I have enjoyed reading Mrs. Davis books though out the years. One thing you can always count on with a Dyanne Davis novel, it’s never the same as the one before. Mrs. Davis consistently delivers stories that are compelling, insightful, and bring to life real character with real issues. Warts and all, no two stories are alike. Which is refreshing, in an age of cookie cutter, by the book romance novels.

Second, I didn’t just sit down and devour this book in one sitting. No, I took the time to read every word. Some times out loud. Now you may ask yourself, what kind nut case takes three month to read a 229 page book? Well I did and I enjoyed every word, phrase and paragraph. Down to the last punctuation mark.

Now on to the review:

Toreas Rose is an aspiring writer who has fallen in lust with local talk show host and book critic, Jared Stone. And who wouldn’t, Jared Stone is one fine brother. Every day she tunes in to his show just to watch him on her small screen. The one sided relationship is blissful, that is until one day Toreas turns the sound up and gets an earful of Jared bashing romance writers and the books they write.

Outraged Toreas goes with a group of her book club member to appear on Jared’s show. But instead of giving him a piece of her mind, she punches him in the gut with an unexpected result.

Turns out Jared blames romance writers for ruining his life. So as a way of getting revenge or venting his anger, he begins taking potshots at romance writers on his show. But after his encounter with Toreas Rose, Jared finds he can’t stop thinking about her and can’t figure for the life him why he’s so drawn to her, a romance writer of all things. Toreas appearance on his show not only fuels his ratings, but his desire for her as well.

Toreas has had to live with critics all her life, seen and unseen. It’s the reason she moved three states away from her parents. She’s given herself to two years to prove herself as a writer with the finical backing and blessing of her father. But her time is nearing an end and Toreas is no closer to fulfilling her dream. That is until Jared places himself squarely in her life and brings out not only her writing muse, but Jared also brings out her awareness of herself as a woman. Even their constant arguing is a form of foreplay.

I found myself laughing out loud at the subtle humor in this book and the way it took on the notion of how true romance should be written.

If you’re looking for a book filled with passion, lust, skin, sin, and heaving bosoms. Keep looking.

If you want to read a story about two real people who take you along on their journey of discovering true love. With romance, lots of laughs, some sighs, and a few tears thrown in. Then read this book and savor each page. I promise you it’s worth the trip.

Well done, Mrs. Davis, very well done indeed.

A.M. Wells

The First Rejection

Okay, so I haven’t posted for awhile and I know, I know. I did promise I would post a complete story and I will.

I finally got a response back regarding my story submission for "Two Unexpected Loves". Long story short, it was rejected. And yeah, it hurts, but I'm not giving up on my dream of seeing my stories published one day soon.

You see, now that I’ve started on this path there’s no turning back for me. I’m a writer and even though that particular story didn’t suit that particular publisher, it does not mean there is not one out there that it will.

So enough of the pity party, it's time to get back to writing and yes sending out my work for submission.

A.M. Wells

I'm back, well sort of

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to update you guys on what I've been up to the last couple of weeks. I started two more stories while I was on vacation in Maui. One is a short story, Time Out, which I'm working on finishing up for submission. The second, Old Friends/New Loves, is a full length story that I hope to someday see in print.

Right now I've got seven WIP and one short story that I've completed and submitted for publication to a romance magazine.

Now I know you’re all wondering, where's the next update. Well, I've decided to post one complete story, because you guys have been so great and supportive of my writing. But I'm going to need some time to write, proof, and edit each update before I post.

I'm going to try and post an update at least once a month, but please don't hold me to that. I've got a 9 to 5 and a husband who requires constant attention.

That's all for now and thanks for your continued support and understanding,

A.M. Wells

To the readers of this blog

Well, its been over a month since I started this blog. I had no idea of the response I would receive by putting my writing out there for God and the whole world to see. I was nervous and unsure that anyone would want to read my writing. To be honest I still do feel that way every time I post something.

Thank you, for stopping by, for reading the post, for the positive comments, for the encouragement.

A.M. Wells

How I relax...

No excerpts, working hard on getting next post ready. But I wanted share some of my drawings, enjoy.

Why I write

I'v always carried these voices around in my head for as long as I can remember. It took a dear friend telling me I was a writer and challenging me to write about what the voices where staying to me that set me on this path.

So now I write and sometimes the storis flow like water and sometimes they trinkle out a drop at time. But still I write and will keep on writing.

A.M. Wells

Welcome to my blog

Allow me to introduce my self, A. M. Wells, writer.