tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42501655083909420342012-01-29T05:18:36.988-08:00Stories, stuff about writing, and Louisiana tidbitsRita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.comBlogger611100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-88659023115446292612012-01-28T06:54:00.000-08:002012-01-28T06:54:43.110-08:00

Want a chance to win a Kindle? Head on over the Cornell DeVille's blog. He's promoting his new book series, Cannibal Island. Just looking at the cover art, I can't wait to read it.  http://cornelldeville.blogspot.com/

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-65626674375838541222012-01-27T06:21:00.000-08:002012-01-28T06:57:51.089-08:00

Next in my series of mini memoirs on growing up in Louisiana...  I'd always lived on the gulf coast, but when our family first moved to Cameron, Louisiana, in 1957, I met the funny little hermit crab for the first time. My brother and I walked along the sandy coast in our bare feet on a hot June day. We saw the strangest thing. Shells were moving across the sand. When we approached them, the

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-89824328953219887422012-01-17T16:27:00.000-08:002012-01-27T06:24:30.081-08:00

Next story in the series of short memoirs. Hurricane Audrey, 1957, Cameron, Louisiana. Water and more water  It was June of 1957. We had evacuated to the one building in town that seemed sturdy enough to withstand the winds and water that were quickly coming ashore the small southwest Louisiana town.  The water came in, not with a crashing blow, but swiftly and with purpose, lifting houses from

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-15672294040264681572012-01-14T04:03:00.000-08:002012-01-14T04:03:14.977-08:00

Lost in the Bayou is a teen novel about a couple of kids, whose parents have been "presumed dead," in a plane crash, then find out their crazy Uncle Conrad, complete with a hook for a hand, has come to take care of them. But his version of taking care of them, is to get rid of them so he can inherit his brother's fortune. Join 14 year old Robin Sherwood and her younger brother as they escape into

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-59594610831750682862012-01-08T16:18:00.000-08:002012-01-08T16:22:40.840-08:00

This year, I've decided to blog some weekly story shorts about life on the bayou in the 1950's.  They are from my childhood memories, injected with a little fiction to round them out. I'll start out with one about our summer job. Selling Crabs on the Levee “Here comes a car,” I told my brother, George, who jumped to pick up a pair of metal tongs. We’d been standing on the road beside the

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-88021149016620936452011-12-31T15:22:00.000-08:002011-12-31T15:22:01.219-08:00

For the upcoming year, I wish everyone in the writing community all the success in the world in 2012. Take this opportunity to reflect on how far you've come. Yes, we all have come a long way from that first thought of "I want to write." If you are a beginner writer, drafting your first manuscript, revising for the hundreth time, waiting for that agent to respond, lamenting over a rejection, or

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-16395068188982368712011-12-18T20:02:00.000-08:002011-12-18T20:04:58.665-08:00

This Christmas season I am reminded of family and what makes us who we are. I have spent almost half my life doing family research. I have come to learn so much about the people that made me who I am. My family came to this country from Canada, France, Spain, Sweden, and Italy to make a life in this country and, by the grace of God, ended up in Louisiana. Some came by force and some by choice

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-6403623347381421142011-11-29T07:12:00.000-08:002011-11-29T07:12:22.281-08:00

S.R. Wells' new teen book, Untraceable, is available starting today! Yay! Untraceable is a new young adult wilderness thriller with a missing father, a kickbutt heroine, and of course - two hot boys. Kirkus Reviews recently said, "This thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance. The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids,

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-81798209258883319682011-11-24T10:13:00.000-08:002011-11-24T10:22:36.253-08:00

I borrowed this wonderful writing tip from Bruce Hale's web site.Check out more of Bruce’s Advice: www.brucehalewritingtips.com WHAT JOKES CAN TEACH YOU ABOUT STORY SET-UPS Never say anything bad about a man until you've walked a mile in his shoes. By then, he's a mile away, you've got his shoes, and you can say whatever you want. Like a joke (even that one), a story doesn't work properly

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-7986797852648046142011-11-21T13:16:00.000-08:002012-01-01T07:26:41.162-08:00

by Rita Monette CHAPTER ONE – LEAVING PIERRE PART           “I’m going to hate Morgan City,” I told my dog Snooper, “No matter what Papa says.”           My beagle laid his head on my lap and gazed up at me with his watery eyes. He pretty much agreed with me on everything.          I sat on the deck of our houseboat as it glided through the winding bayous—Papa’s fishing boat, filled with baskets

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-29116668854959493272011-11-16T08:14:00.000-08:002011-11-16T08:14:10.030-08:00

The picture in the header of my blog was taken looking out at Lake Palourde from the Brownell Bell Tower. I was raised across the levee from Lake Palourde. I spent a lot of my childhood in that lake, swimming among the water lilies and moccasins. More information about this landmark tower: http://www.lakeendpark.net/index.php/park/brownell-park-a-carillon-tower.html

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-80011896484158234512011-11-16T08:03:00.000-08:002011-11-16T08:03:49.971-08:00

Cynthea Liu, fabulous writer and wonderful instructor for writing for children and teens, is having a "Free-tique" contest on her blog.   Check it out. http://tiny.cc/j7c4t I attended a workshop with Cynthea, and have experienced one of her critiques. She really is great! Her book, Writing for Children and Teens is a wonderful, easy to understand breakdown of everything you need to know in the

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-86143640039221869952011-09-25T16:41:00.000-07:002011-09-25T17:10:51.262-07:00

Just got back from Pierre Part, Louisiana visiting my brother and his wife. Ran into Troy Landry, from the Swamp People series on History Channel, at the local gas station. CHOOT EM!!!

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-88822051554319873202011-08-04T06:19:00.000-07:002011-08-04T06:19:30.657-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cDRoKY6QEaI

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-66762207075552128182011-06-21T12:51:00.000-07:002011-06-21T12:52:56.126-07:00

My friend, KC Frantzen's middle grade children's book, May on the Way: How I became a K9 Spy will be out in a couple of weeks. See her interview at Living Water Fiction Blog, where she explains the process of self publishing.  http://www.livingwaterfiction.com/blog.htm

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-19906103891546618322011-05-13T15:24:00.000-07:002011-05-13T15:31:02.625-07:00

Photos from St. Mary Parish, Louisiana. Mostly from Morgan City. Home of Nikki Landry in the Legend of Ghost Dog Island. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyDJZNq6Mh4&feature=player_embedded

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-43867625777984152952011-05-04T19:34:00.000-07:002011-05-04T19:39:00.487-07:00

 Bayou Ellabug and her cousin, Gerard the Gator  I am please to welcome Ellabug to Tales from the Bayou.  She visits us today riding on the back of her cousin, Gerard the Gator. Hello Ellabug!!!! Don't you just love the picture her creator, Gregory Turner-Rahman did especially for her visit to my blog? I am so honored. Ahem.  So, now what she came here for...a stop on her blog tour. About

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-79626526764246657362011-05-02T19:21:00.000-07:002011-05-02T19:46:38.258-07:00

I am pleased to be part of a blog tour for Diversion Press. Today, I am reviewing Halloween Kentucky Style, by children’s author, Charles Suddeth. About Halloween Kentucky Style: What’s scarier than a haunted house and a graveyard on Halloween? For Mike and Tommy, a couple of mischievous eleven year old boys, who feel they are getting a little old for trick or treat, it is the perfect setting

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-23809037145256069992011-04-02T06:23:00.000-07:002011-04-02T06:30:35.254-07:00

Pierre Part is the setting for my children's Middle Grade fiction. Pierre Part was founded by Acadian French settlers after the Great Upheaval of 1755, during which much of the French population of Acadia was expelled by its British conquerors. The town remained isolated from most of the world since it is surrounded by water and was not accessible by land until the mid twentieth century. Before

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-18500024813517738842011-03-23T11:12:00.000-07:002011-03-23T11:12:57.765-07:00

My Cajun writer friend, Connie Hebert, has a wonderful website, where she writes memoirs from her childhood. Very delightful. See her latest posting "Final Days." .http://www.trueinklings.com/TrueInklings/HOME.html

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-57857527290183920872011-03-18T21:18:00.000-07:002011-03-18T21:40:35.049-07:00

Recently I had to write a synopsis for a critique. I spent three grueling days trying to narrow down a complete novel into one page. I am posting something I found while googling "how to write a synopsis" that I found helpful. Thought I'd share. A Basic Guide to Writing Synopses By Theresa Rizzo 2007 A synopsis is a brief summary of the novel that provides key information about the characters,

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-24304798752219157152011-03-12T12:08:00.000-08:002011-03-12T12:16:52.247-08:00

Tomorrow morning at 2 a.m. it’s time again to turn our clocks ahead an hour…or to Spring Ahead. This happens the second Sunday in March every year. But did you ever ask yourself when we started doing this, and why? When did it all start? It seems Benjamin Franklin proposed the idea, while minister of France, when he wrote an essay in 1784 entitled “An Economical Project for Diminishing the

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-50135342731046673402011-03-08T12:51:00.000-08:002011-03-08T12:54:46.170-08:00

Fat Tuesday. Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras. Call it what you will, but it all means one thing: PARTY! This annual event marks the last day before Lent begins, when Catholics traditionally "give up" a habit or vice. In New Orleans, as well as a few other cities in the south, Mardi Gras is a full-out celebration, with a huge parade, parties, and more food than you could ever imagine. “Throw me

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-45784570475613571922011-02-25T15:34:00.000-08:002011-03-08T12:53:51.199-08:00

When a hurricane comes into your life and leaves with all you own but the clothes on your back, you remember her name…for the rest of your life. Mine was Audrey. She came to Cameron, Louisiana in June of 1957 and left with over 500 souls. Luckily, she left mine and my family’s intact to live to face another storm. But none would match the scars she left on my young life. She took my home. She

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-28712658109608611922011-02-13T07:17:00.000-08:002011-02-14T06:14:42.546-08:00

Tennessee author KC Frantzen is launching her debut middle grade children’s book, May on the Way: How I Become a K9 Spy in the summer of 2011, through RushJoy Press. She is available for author visits to your group or school.  May on the Way is for children ages 7 and up, and animal lovers of all ages. Me: Tell us a little about you, KC. How long have you been writing? And what inspired you to

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-40179416229395275452011-01-31T16:25:00.000-08:002011-01-31T16:29:07.023-08:00

Following the lead of fellow writer, Shelli Johannes-Wells, I am paying forward the opportunity Shelli has offered on her blog. http://faeriality.blogspot.com/2011/01/need-agent-pay-it-forward-contest.html I would like to thank my fellow crittters for all their help with my manuscript, including KC Frantzen, author of May on the Way.  See her web site at: http://www.maythek9spy.com/

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-40790386508111501852011-01-22T15:22:00.000-08:002011-01-22T15:26:09.324-08:00

To celebrate the completion of her manuscript for Writing Young Adult Fiction for Dummies, the Editor is giving away a FREE Substantive Edit of one YA or MG fiction manuscript. Deadline: January 31, 2011. http://dear-editor.com/

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-47981135059045192212011-01-18T06:49:00.000-08:002011-01-21T04:30:30.715-08:00

As I watch the “I have a dream” speech of Dr. Martin Luther King, I wonder what I could say to enhance his dream. "All God's Children." There is no way to say that better than he did. But, I have a dream that people will no longer be classified by race. We have come a long, long way, but equality will never happen until we can see that we all are more alike than we are different.   It is

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-41137022520037840682010-12-30T14:57:00.000-08:002011-03-01T17:35:00.177-08:00

A Fresh Start The resolution. A promise to yourself that you will give up or do something better than you did last year. Everyone does it--every year. But, how many of us break most of our resolutions by the end of January? I found that once I break that resolution, I give it up--until next year, when I start the process all over again. Therefore, I don’t make resolutions.  The Trick Instead

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-57151349754868400242010-12-14T18:00:00.000-08:002010-12-15T18:42:46.656-08:00

Have you ever been driving through Louisiana, or some other southern state,  and noticed a tree with colored bottles either hanging from it or stuck onto their branches? More than likely they were blue bottles. No, they are not a poor man’s stained glass display. It is said that this traditional practice was brought here by the Africans during the slave trade. In the Congo, Natives have hung

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-145156479043702412010-12-10T05:32:00.000-08:002010-12-10T05:32:12.973-08:00

Folks, I found the most awesome site ever!  Seekerville, written by a group of Christian romance writers is filled with writing tips and wonderful advice and information for writers.  I'm a huge fan. Visit their blog and see what I'm talking about. http://seekerville.blogspot.com/2010/12/when-it-comes-to-writing.html

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-58051235282545517972010-12-05T07:24:00.000-08:002010-12-05T07:25:20.888-08:00

Well, National Novel Writing Month has come and gone, and I managed to get my usual word count. Around 20,000 words. I just envy those people that can whip out 50,000 words in a month. I had very good intentions this year. I was going to plug away at the keyboard and GIT R DONE. And even with all those encouraging words from the NANO team, things still seem to come up in the month of November.

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-64467827036002452372010-10-27T06:24:00.000-07:002010-10-27T06:25:43.712-07:00

Did you know...that the town of New Iberia, Louisiana, in the heart of Cajun country, was founded by Spanish settlers from Malaga, Spain?  Spanish descendants in Louisiana are also known as Cajuns, even though they may not have descended from Acadian settlers.  Most of their names have been changed to French sounding names through the years. Some of my direct ancestors made the long and arduous

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-45440814729898807472010-10-25T15:31:00.000-07:002010-10-25T15:31:15.299-07:00

Target audience and Word count: Here’s a typical run down of manuscript lengths for different formats, taken from Darcy Pattison's Fiction Notes: Picture book, including ABC titles. The hottest items are under 500 words. Some picture books can go up to 2000 words, but those are iffy. The audience for picture books can be anything from birth to about 10 years old. Usually the break down is

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-84348990538645242432010-10-23T16:33:00.000-07:002010-10-25T06:35:25.588-07:00

Chuck Suddeth, ctsuddeth.com ,has a new book out just in time for Halloween. Sounds exciting.  Can't wait to read it. Halloween Kentucky Style For Halloween 1959, best friends Mike and Timmy, try to scare their cousins, Alice and Rose. The trick’s on them when a homeless man and their younger neighbor team up to give them a Halloween scare that they will never forget! It’s Halloween Kentucky

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-57276931816372112322010-10-20T10:36:00.000-07:002010-10-20T10:38:51.027-07:00

http://revmoore.blogspot.com/2010/10/back-in-berry.html

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-47458164899451877022010-10-20T10:09:00.000-07:002010-10-20T10:13:44.617-07:00

I’d like to give a shout out to Patricia Wiles, Assistant Regional Advisor Chair, Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) She organized a “book giveaway basket” at a recent SCBWI conference in Nashville. Her quest was to build a small library for a special school, Alternative Day Treatment, in her county. This school is for students who are unable to function in a traditional

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-42406032123055824452010-10-18T06:55:00.000-07:002010-10-18T06:55:15.517-07:00

Did  you know?...the diatonic accordion, also known as the "Cajun" accordion, was adopted as Louisiana's official musical instrument in 1990.  It is the basic instrument for traditional Cajun music. My dad played one of those, while singing Jole Blanc, a Louisiana Cajun French classic.

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-92101503568292037362010-10-10T12:46:00.000-07:002010-10-20T09:41:14.837-07:00

A clip from the "author's notes" in my middle grade novel, Nikki Landry and the Legend of Ghost Dog Island, a historical novel about a young girl growing up in the Louisiana bayous in 1956: In 1921, the State of Louisiana’s new constitution included outlawing the speaking of French in the public schools. By the 1960’s the language had almost died out. In 1961, the Council for the Development of

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-5223685800886245992010-09-16T05:11:00.000-07:002010-09-16T05:17:14.893-07:00

I subscribe to Darcy Pattison's Fiction Notes emails.  This one I had to repost. Develop Your Character Inside and Outside by Darcy Pattison I’m working on a revision of an older story and am finding that my character is flat, lacking emotion. Here’s what should happen: action, reaction, thought and/or emotion. Here’s what is happening: action, reaction. Of course, there’s lots of

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-55692181000139743142010-08-04T10:12:00.000-07:002010-08-04T10:12:19.287-07:00

Critique groups are for one purpose: To nudge and prod you into writing the best story you are capable of writing. They are your friends. If you manage to get into a good one, with really good prodders, it might hurt a little at first. But, when you’ve rewritten that line, phrase, or paragraph that you thought was perfect and now find it to be more perfect, the pain turns into glee. Once you’ve

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-63580158258125807432010-07-21T17:27:00.000-07:002010-07-21T17:32:44.454-07:00

The brown pelican is protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty act of 1918. In the early 1970’s, pesticides like DDT had put the brown pelican on the endangered species list. Research showed that the pesticide DDT caused the pelican eggshells to be too thin and incapable of supporting the embryo to maturity. The US government imposed a ban on the use of DDT in 1972. Since then, the population

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-58636772828358391942010-07-20T07:18:00.000-07:002010-07-21T09:21:32.969-07:00

Okay, I know, I am lazy about writing blog posts, but I've been doing a lot of revisions.  Honestly.  I found this post by Rachelle Gardner that I thought was very blog worthy, so I am reposting it.  See her very interesting and informative blog at http://cba-ramblings.blogspot.com/ Monday, July 19, 2010 Ode to the Book Cover Last week I had a little epiphany that made me just the teensiest

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-38352633106987396642010-06-18T05:30:00.000-07:002010-06-18T05:35:10.217-07:00

As a writer, if you are part of a critique group, you know the scenario. You get some comments that praise your opening line, your use of descriptive phrases, and your voice for a character. Then you get the comment that indicates you need to re-write your entire first chapter. The results are that you stop writing for a short while, going though the emotions of 1) Am I a writer at all? 2) I'll

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-17818079018095352082010-05-26T11:41:00.000-07:002010-05-26T11:43:49.364-07:00

A tour through a South Louisiana bayou with Cajun  music background. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKH9JEdZREc

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-1778221400247170112010-05-15T12:52:00.000-07:002010-05-15T12:55:50.146-07:00

My fellow writer and friend, Connie Hebert, has a new book coming out. Yagnahoula: Story of an Ancient Women's Burial Ground.  “Yagnahoula” is the story of a 3,000 year old ancient women’s burial grounds at Dauphin Island, AL. From her website: http://www.yagnahoula.com/ According to oral tradition, a tall, light-skinned tribe, called “Nahoula” or ‘people,’ came “from the sea.” They flourished

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-39632344017471273872010-04-18T07:12:00.000-07:002010-04-28T14:49:53.648-07:00

You have to check out Maggie Moosie's blog.  She is a dog that lives in a "zoo" with other rescue animals, in Lafayette, Louisiana, and tells her own funny adventure stories.  They are co-authored by Patricia Racca Arnold, who has several children's books written about (by) Maggie!!!http://maggiemoosie.blogspot.com/2010/04/maggie-moosie-has-adventure.html?spref=fb

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-30209072128249181012010-04-04T11:17:00.000-07:002010-04-22T13:49:28.478-07:00

http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/default,month,2010-03.aspx

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-11923212881324507282010-03-28T12:48:00.000-07:002010-04-28T14:51:29.564-07:00

Last night at the banquet of the Tennessee Mountain Writers' Annual Conference, I was presented with two awards.  The first place in the category of Writing for Young People for my novel, The Zone of Fear, and second place in the same category for my Nikki Landry and the Legend of Ghost Dog Island (an excerpt is in a previous post). Needless to say, I am still in shock.  Nikki would be jumping

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-29567779437994753882010-03-18T18:33:00.000-07:002010-04-21T06:59:42.885-07:00

Spikes led the way through the thick swamp. “Slow down Buzzard.” A string of moss reached down and brushed my cheek, as I hurried to keep up with him. “We need to get there before those clouds cover the moon, and we won’t be able to find our way.” He patted his back pocket where he had stuffed his flashlight. “I don’t wanna use old Red unless I have to. Batteries aren’t cheap, ya know.” He

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-33581624132384165292010-03-10T08:41:00.000-08:002010-03-10T08:41:38.668-08:00

Sign up for Jessica's contest to celebrate her debut Middle Grade Novel, Nice and Mean. Can't wait to read it Jessica! http://the-bookologist.blogspot.com/search/label/Contests

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-16854511422883528192010-02-12T07:26:00.000-08:002010-02-15T08:32:42.348-08:00

James Lee Burke describes Southwest Louisiana like no other.  His Dave Robicheaux novels are riveting.  If you are from Louisiana and like crime mysteries, you will be totally hooked.  If you survived Hurricane Audrey and listened to Jole' Blanc as a child, you will relive those memories more vividly than you can imagine.   Read more about JLB and his books at: http://www.jamesleeburke.com/

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-73004389313390110682010-02-08T06:20:00.000-08:002010-02-08T06:30:55.590-08:00

Erin Dealey creates a catchy rap tune for writers.  Check out her rhyme on U-Tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TYqMA2mPG7I

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-12325194924377010812009-12-01T10:23:00.000-08:002009-12-06T12:13:25.691-08:00

Well, I'm here to report that I did not win the National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) challenge, although some of my writing buddies did.  Congratulations Jody Casella and SR Cardell, and Connie Hebert.  Your fingers must be throbbing! I did manage to knock out 26,000 or so, which was enough to get a few first draft chapters of a book that was rattling around in my head for awhile.  I

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-81148445708762504132009-11-23T14:43:00.000-08:002009-11-23T14:43:26.449-08:00

Dew on the Kudzu, an online magazine for Southern Writers, published my short story "Alligator in my Back Yard" on 11-20-09.  Check it out. http://dewonthekudzu.com/

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-69685160841187973512009-11-18T18:30:00.000-08:002009-11-18T18:35:49.891-08:00

 I lay awake last night wondering what a character in a story I am working on was going to do next. How is it possible for characters to create their own story? Sit back and let them. They may surprise you. I suppose some writers start off with outlines of what their stories are going to be. I start off with a certain character in mind. But, even if I have an idea of who they are, I don’t

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-61321800562556187722009-11-01T05:59:00.000-08:002009-11-01T06:01:50.517-08:00

Well, I've done it.  I signed up for the NaNoWriMo challange to write a 50,000 word novel during the month of November!  That  means I have to  log 1,667 words per day to stay on par. Join me in the challenge, or follow my progress at http://www.nanowrimo.org/eng/user%252F556502

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-15932389337304795972009-10-13T16:57:00.000-07:002009-10-14T19:38:07.052-07:00

I received my first "rejection letter" in the mail today.  Now I feel like a real writer. Gimme Chocolate!!!

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-73217046068697276032009-10-12T07:10:00.000-07:002009-10-12T07:10:02.374-07:00

Just found a really great blog for southern writers.  They do reviews and publish short stories. Check it out. http://todaysdeepsouth.blogspot.com/

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-60529507026959571762009-09-21T08:05:00.000-07:002009-09-21T08:07:08.622-07:00

From the  September issue of The Query Club newsletter.  This is so good, I had to repost it. Quick, Gimme Chocolate! Dealing with Rejection by Molli Nickell Heart pounding, you open the mailbox. Your throat feels desert dry. Your mind races. "Will this be the day?" Digging through bills and letters, you spot something familiar. It's the SASE (self-addressed-stamped-envelope) enclosed with

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4250165508390942034.post-60392570430030533342009-09-21T07:59:00.000-07:002009-09-21T08:02:30.304-07:00

Today I was thinking about how much time is spend on research versus writing. I figured yesterday alone, I spend two hours writing and four hours researching what I wrote or was about to write. I have done genealogical research on my family since the 1970’s. While trying to put flesh back on the bones of my long dead relatives, I realized one very important thing. You can get the facts from the

Rita Monette, Writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11008739873911008728noreply@blogger.com0