Jo Leigh - Author

	Jo Leigh
	Jo Leigh

Monday, February 28th

I (heart) Power Structure

I've tried all kinds of writing software programs, and most of them end up being deleted from my hard drive after awhile because I haven't used them. Never did Dramatica because it just seemed like way too much work, but I've tried others that nudge you with questions to help the process along. For the last few years, I've just worked with a spreadsheet. And then I ran across Power Structure.

I found it at www.write-brain.com, the same people who do Movie Magic Screenwriter, which is another program I love.

What Power Structure does is organize. That's pretty much it, although they do have some nifty ways to manipulate the data you input that illustrates how your conflict flows. Here's a little from their Intro:

"There are lots of computer programs out there that promise to make you a better writer. This isn't one of them. There are lots of programs that promise to make it a snap for you to develop realistic characters, exciting plots and sure-fire story lines. This isn't one of those, either. We know better.

"In its narrowest sense, Power Structure is a "story development" or "outlining" program, which means it provides you with features to efficiently develop plot and character ideas before you begin incorporating them into your full-blown work. But that's only the beginning of Power Structure. Besides providing an abundance of unique and powerful tools to maximize your storytelling skills and painlessly improve your organization as a writer, PS creates a stimulating environment in which you can explore your story character ideas. "
I'm using it to plot my single title, and oh, my goodness, it's wonderful. I don't know that it would be great for those of you who write by the seat of your pants, but for the plotters, it's something you might want to investigate. (And no, they're not paying me, nor do I get anything if you buy the program).

It's not that hard to learn, and they have an excellent demo on the site.

I'm always looking for ways to make the process easier, and this one works for me. I'd love to hear about other tips, programs, books that have transformed your writing.

02.28.05 @ 06:27 AM MST [Link to Entry]

Sunday, February 27th

Stepping outside my comfort zone

So, not only am I doing my first webblog, I'm also writing my first single title. It's not a romance, although there is some romance in it. It's really a mystery kind of thriller thing. I've been plotting it for many moons, and it's just so different from the romance novels I've done for so long that my anxiety level is off the charts.

My biggest fear is that I'll make it too "category." Yes, it has multiple points of view, and I'm using grittier language, and the main plot line isn't the romance, but I've written so many romance novels over so many years, I'm afraid something (and I'm not sure what) is ingrained in me. (I just reread this paragraph, and have to clarify: my biggest fear is actually that the book will be crap, but that's on a whole different level).

I've read some single titles from folks who've written category romance, and some of them feel like bigger category books. And some feel like they're not category at all.

What about you? Other than cursing and the hea, what differentiates the single title? Have you read single title books that disappoint because they're too category? Were there specific things that made you feel that way?

02.27.05 @ 06:18 AM MST [Link to Entry]

Saturday, February 26th

On Being a Virgin

Well, not that kind of virgin. I meant, at blogging. It's my first time, so be...

Wait, even my first time at that other virgin thing, I didn't want it gentle. TMI???

I was in it for the experience. Not just so that I could say I had done it, but because it was this huge thing sitting out there and everyone talked about it, wrote about it, sang songs about it, and here I was, on the sidelines. Not a situation I would ever get used to.

I have to confess, though, I guest blogged. It was good for me. You can still check it out at Alison's Blah Blog, if you care to. The responses were wonderfully thoughtful, and who could ask for more out of a computer experience?

So, naturally, I want more. I always want more. It's a curse.

Mostly, I figure I'll talk about writing. I've been doing that for a long, long time. I started professionally as a script writer. I'd always wanted to make movies, and got my first job at 20th-Century Fox when I was 19. Although I started out in accounting (yikes), I wormed my way into location work, and that was it. I was hooked. There is nothing more exciting than being on a film, at least that's how it was for me. I started off on The Deer Hunter. Quite a way to lose that virginity too, huh? It was amazing, and scary and I learned an incredible amount about story telling. Later on, I got to work with some truly fabulous teachers. John Sayles, for one.

I was a reader at Fox, doing coverage, which is basically taking books or scripts and synopsizing them. A damn fine way to learn what works and what doesn't in story. That's when I got involved with Robert McKee, who was putting together his first workshop. I was something of a guinea pig, along with some friends of mine. Again, an amazing way to learn about plot.

I wrote a few teleplays, some got optioned, nothing got made. Then, I ended up leaving the film business for reasons too boring to describe here, and started writing romance. And that's what I've been doing since 1990. I sold in 1993. Since then, I've written 36 books and one screenplay. 35 have been romance novels, and one was a celebrity biography.

I live far up in the mountains, away from pretty damn near anyone, with my honey, which is another story I'll tell someday. It takes over thirty minutes to reach town. Town has one market, no movie theater, and lots of cows, horses and sheep. Mostly, though, the two of us are up here, about 10,000 feet high in a closed ski lodge, alone. Except for the computer, and the friends I have on line. You guys make me feel like I'm in the company of friends, whether you mean to or not.

So I'm here. Hoping to share with people I already know, and meet a bunch more. I want to talk about plotting, about making something from nothing, about putting it all together.

Bring it on.

02.26.05 @ 04:40 PM MST [Link to Entry]