I mentioned last month that I felt blocked in my writing. I believe I've found THE tool that helps me smash through that blockade.

Lists.

I know, I know -- be careful what you wish for. "The light at the end of the tunnel is the light of the oncoming train" (or words to that effect).

BUT -- there may be a light at the end of February's tunnel. I swear, it's been the longest month. Each week has presented enormous challenges. A funeral, a root canal, unpleasant legal hassles ... will this month never end?

However, there was a bright spot in the month. I reviewed a book I wrote several months ago now that it's fresh again. That's how I do it, I let it sit for months then I re-read it and am always surprised that, hey, I wrote it, and it's not that bad. There are a few tweaks here and there, but overall, yeah, I'm happy with it. I am sending it off to my formatter for prep to be released in March.

I forgot how energizing it can be to hang out with a bunch of writers. Last month I had my annual getaway with a group of writers. We go to a casino, hang out, brainstorm books, gamble, and generally have a great time.

Nothing is off limits in terms of brainstorming. You can toss out the most outrageous idea possible and we are obligated to help you figure out how to make it work. In the process, I find my mind finds new possibilities in my current Work in Progress, or in other ideas that I discarded as being too tricky or tough to do.

I didn't think I'd do it, but I did. Last weekend I wrote 30,000 words. I just sat down and powered my way through chapters 11-17. 6 chapters, roughly 5000 words each (I don't do a true word count until I'm sure I'm done with it).

I have a lot of editing to do. I need to go back and layer in some motivation, add the senses (touch, taste, sight, sound, smell). That's always my fall-down, adding those details. I'll also need to search for repetitive phrasing, over-used words, etc.

But the major bones are there. I'll pick away at it for this week, then I'll set it aside for a few months until I'm sure I remember next to nothing about the plot. I'll pick it up again, edit it with fresh eyes, then send it to my beta reader.

So what's the tally?

Things you’ll never read in a romance novel:

“Aiden is thinning on top. I told him he should go to Bosley.”

Ranulf took one look at his opponent and screamed like a little girl.

“How was Alec in bed? Hmm, I couldn’t tell, since he only lasted about two minutes.”

“He’s sexy as all get-out, but his voice sure is shrill, isn’t it?”

“That harelip of Carl's is so sexy.”

We’re always told to give our characters flaws, but let’s face it, there are some flaws we must stay away from. I’ve read a few romances where the hero was missing certain appendages – no, not THAT one. NEVER that one – and the hero was no less of a man. But seriously, think about it: you could give your hero brown hair and brown eyes, and you’ve pretty much incapacitated him right there. Am I right?

Have you ever read a great book, put it down, looked at your shit and thought…WTF. What’s the point? I’ll never be that good. Doesn’t matter that I get fan mail, doesn’t matter that my crit partner thinks my writing is the shit, I will never in a million years write a book as good as the one I just read.

If you just said no, that’s never happened to you, I’ll call you out right now – liar liar, pants on fire! If you shouted out a Hells Yes! then this, my friend, is for you.

This is The Free Dictionary’s definition of perfectionism: A propensity for being displeased with anything that is not perfect or does not meet extremely high standards.

Dawn’s definition as it pertains to writing: Perfectionism in writing is an author who keeps going back through his/her finished manuscript to edit four, five, six, even seven times until their voice, rhythm and spark has been beaten out of the story.

I’ll be the first to admit that my first drafts resemble a story written on a drunken dare by two college frat boys whose two favorite words are f*ck and sh!t. Oh yeah. I’m a very classy chick, didn't you know?