Category Archives: Cait Collins

2016

Posted on by
Reply

Outtakes 227

2016

by Cait Collins

About this time every year people begin making resolutions. We plan to do this, quit that, or finish something, but before many weeks pass, the resolutions are forgotten. Therefore, I resolve not to resolve. In other words, I will not make resolutions for 2016. However, I do plan to write better and write smarter.

Writing better means…

Removing unnecessary modifiers from my work and replacing them with more vivid nouns and action verbs.

I will create better setting using photographs to guide my words.

I will not skimp on the research. This may mean using “place holders” while I do the research and continue the creative process.

I will not stress over little things like names, color of eyes, or height. I will let the small stuff reveal itself and then edit. I will get the story down and fill in the blanks later. This will be a working draft that I will use to craft the manuscript, but it will not be presented to my critique group.

I will time-line and character-sketch, but I will not outline.

I will not force the process. If I can’t seem to move forward in the story, I’ll take a break and do something else creative. I have a new book of 500 Writing Prompts. Maybe I’ll describe my Sweet 16 birthday or perhaps I’ll open one of my adult coloring books and create beauty.

Writing smarter means…

The first draft will be better and more reader-ready. I will no longer hide behind excuses like “I had this idea and just had to get it on paper.” I’ve used that line with my critique group on too many occasions. No more excuses.

I will not wait until the last minute to prepare for a critique meeting. No more writing my chapter on my lunch break and then rushing home to print it.

I will not pre-plan or over-write the story to the point it has lost its life and emotion.

While I prefer books for my research, I will make better use of on-line sources for fast answers

I will stop trying to juggle three or four projects at a time.

This is not a resolution for 2016; it is a plan to make myself more productive and less frustrated. I anticipate I will finish the edits on my memoir and make good progress on my new work, Three by Three, if I stick to the plan.

I wish all writers a productive and prosperous New Year.

Christmas Week

Posted on by
Reply

Outtakes 226

Christmas Week

by Cait Collins

 

I thought I’d try a little poetry for my Christmas week blog.

 

Two days before Christmas and all through the land

The old North wind was blowing to beat the band.

With nary a tree or hill to block the blow

We hunkered down expecting a big snow.

 

I made my list and checked it twice

Forgetting gifts would not be nice.

I had lists for the office, the family and more,

With list in hand, I head for the store.

 

Christmas dinner, the office pot luck, and a larder to fill

With the crowds and empty shelves it was no thrill.

No pickles, no carrots, the dinner rolls out

I stomped my foot and bit back a frustrated shout.

 

What happened to Christmas, the fun and the love?

Why can’t it be simple instead of a humbug?

I try to be merry and not a Scrooge

But sometimes, yes, sometimes I border on rude.

 

So, sing me a carol, a warm winter song

And maybe, just maybe, I’ll sing along.

And I will be joyful and so full of mirth

I’ll be the happiest writer on earth.

 

It may not be pretty and it may not rhyme

I never promised it would be sublime.

Poetry is not my strong suit I must admit

But it’s better to try instead of quit.

 

Happy Holidays.

Scrooge

Posted on by
1

Outtakes 225

Scrooge

By Cait Collins

 

I hate admitting I don’t remember much from all the Charles Dickens works I read in high school and college. But one novel stands out – A Christmas Carol. Who could forget Tiny Tim, Bob Crochet, Marley’s Ghost; and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future? And then there’s our hero, Ebenezer Scrooge.

When we first meet Scrooge, he’s a mean, nasty man. He’s devoid of love and human kindness. While life handed him some hard knocks, he has no excuse for his actions. Others have problems, Tim and his family for example, yet they remain positive and hopeful. Scrooge holds his hurts closely and lashes out at society. Yet he still has choices.

The ghostly visitors open doors for the miser, but Scrooge must choose to change his ways. And when he makes the 180 degree turn, he is truly a changed man. He reaches out to others and opens his heart to those around him. Talk about character growth. Scrooge went from zero to hero. Yet for many readers, the character they remember is the cold-hearted miser. His name is an adjective. We still refer to anti-Christmas folks as Scrooge. “Bah. Humbug.” is their catch-phrase of the season. But again, Scrooge changed for the better and that is hope for all mankind. If someone as mean and hateful as Scrooge could change his life, then those of us who are reasonable and kind can absolutely become more kind and helpful.

Tiny Tim, who greatly benefitted from Ebenezer’s transformation, said it best, “God bless us everyone.”

 

Story Time

Posted on by
1

Outtakes 224

Story Time

By Cait Collins

 

Have you ever been with a group of kids and decided it was time to write a story. It goes something like this.

What if a space ship landed in your back yard? What then?

The door opens and the aliens get out.

And what if they looked like…

Dogs. Big ones and little ones.

And they walked on their back legs.

They talked English. I could understand them.

And one of them had to pee. He walked to a corner in the yard and peed.

Did he poop?

No, he just peed.

And then what?

They wanted something to eat and drink.

What did you give them?

Dog food and water.

Boring. They wanted those black, jelly looking things. They put the stuff on a cracker and used wooden knives. Dad said they were fish eggs. Yuck!

What did they drink?

Bubbly stuff. Mom keeps it for special occasions. Is meeting aliens a special occasion?

I think so? So how were the aliens dressed?

Superman pj’s.

No, they wore camouflage. Like soldiers in the desert.

And then what?

They asked for directions to the Alamo. They wanted to fight with Davy Crockett.

And so?

It started to rain. It rained cats. Tabby cats, black cats, orange ones.

What happened then?

They ran back to their ship. One of the little dogs yelped. He was melting into a puddle of butter.

Really? Did you get pictures?

Tried, but they went invisible.

You mean they melted?

Sure.

And then what happened?

They couldn’t take off. They were melty.

And so?

The space ship is still in the back yard. And it’s bigger and better than Bobby Johnson’s tree house. We play there all the time.

Isn’t it melty?

No, Dad took the garden hose and washed it out. It’s neat now?

Are you going to fly the ship?

Nah, we want it for a club house. No girls aloud. (Yes, that’s the way the kid said it.)

Why not allow girls?

Cooties. Girls have cooties and maybe bed bugs. Don’t like that.

So how does the story end?

All the alien dogs got melty and went away. The girls had to go to the hospital to get rid of their cooties and bed bugs. And my friends and I took over the space ship and now we have a nice place to play basketball and football. My dad says he’ll get us a special video game set-up so we can play all kinds of games. My dad’s rich. He has twenty credit cards and money in a hundred banks. That means we can be happy and never have to go without things we want.

Pretty neat, huh?

The end.

Try editing this tall tale.

Kids and Books

Posted on by
Reply

Outtakes 223

Kids and Books

By Cait Collins

I’ve really tried to keep causes out of my blogs, but I hope you will indulge me this week. I realize times have changed, but as we see academic scores dropping and kids having trouble excelling in school, I have come to believe we have an issue with reading. I see kids being held back in school because their reading skills are not where they should be. They are not dumb children; they simply can’t read well.

I grew up in an environment where reading was encouraged. My folks bought the Grolier Encyclopedia, Book of Knowledge, and ChildCraft for us. They bought the books on a payment plan because they wanted us to have easy access to information. I remember Mom or Dad gathering us in the big chair and reading to us. As I got older and could read on my own, I would spend hours reading and studying these volumes.

These days books are not always present in the home. Often the family budget does not stretch to purchasing books. And if parents are not readers, it could be difficult for a child to see the need to read. Unfortunately, the child suffers because the inability to read well slows the learning process. For this reason, I support efforts to get books into a child’s hands.

One of my favorite programs is Toys for Tots. Every Christmas, the Barnes and Noble Store in Amarillo selects books for kids of all ages. The titles are suggestions for customers who wish to purchase books for the toy drive. Or the patrons may prefer to browse the shelves for some of their childhood favorites. Book donations are also accepted by the Evelyn Richards Foundation, a local charitable group that works to provide coats and Christmas for children in our area. It may not seem like a big deal to those of us who grew up reading, but giving a child a book of his own may be the beginning of new adventures and better learning opportunities.

Why not volunteer for Story Hour at your local library or bookstore? Maybe we could mentor in the local schools. As writers, we should be at the forefront of supporting efforts to put books in the home and in schools. Maybe we can’t change the whole world, but at least we can make an inroad in our corner of it.

 

The Trilogy

Posted on by
Reply

Outtakes 222

The Trilogy

by Cait Collins

 

 

Take a seer, an archeologist, a magician, a navigator, a sprite, and a warrior, add a legend and an exotic locale and you have Stars of Fortune, book one of the Guardians trilogy. Nora Roberts is a master in writing serial releases. Her fantasy/paranormal romances are among my favorite reads. I got hooked on this line of her works when I read the Three Sisters Island trilogy. I have not been disappointed. What makes the trilogies good reads? It’s in the essential elements of the books.

Characters are the key element of the stories. Each person possesses special skill sets. In many cases, the character knows his primary talent. For others it’s a learn-as-you-go revelation.

E ach character has flaws. Despite their gifts, each one must overcome his weakness in order for the group to fulfill its destiny.

 

Unity is primary. All skills are necessary for success, but trust is essential.

Good and evil are clearly defined.

Actions or lack thereof are the choices of the character.

Magic is a respected gift that should not be abused.

 

Locales are exotic. Islands, gardens, forests, Ireland, and country inns provide setting. Bold descriptions make the story realistic. Local lore and customs ground the reader and allows her or him to become part of the story.

Romance is an element of the story, but it is not the story. Some of my friends view romance novels as silly and stupid. In their minds, it all about sex, But if the story were only about sex, it would become unbelievable. There has to be more than the physical response. In good romance novels, it is committed love that permits the characters to keep going when the odds are not in their favor. Love is glue that holds them together.

Friendships are cemented by love. Knowing that the members of the team are willing to fight and die for a cause frees the protagonist to step up to defeat an enemy.

Love is magic. With love all things are possible.

In skillfully combining these elements, Ms. Roberts weaves stories of bold deeds, causes won, and life fulfilled. And it leaves the reader anticipating the next installment of the tale. Even though the second book will not be released until late next year, the author will release a contemporary romantic suspense in April of 2016. And that, my fellow readers, is just one more jewel in Nora Roberts’ long list of successful novels. I wish I had her backlist.

 

How’s Your Penmanship?

Posted on by
1

Outtakes 221

How’s Your Penmanship?

By Cait Collins

It’s getting closer to the holidays and I’m starting to put my to-do list together. One of my big things is my Christmas card list. I like keeping in touch with family and old friends. I’m very particular about the cards I send. I can spend an hour or more going through the card displays at my favorite Hallmark store. I buy special pens and nice envelope seals.

I hand-address and sign every card. Some have short hand-written notes. Instead of a computer generated letter, I write my letters individually and gear them to the recipient. Do not misunderstand, I enjoy reading the annual newsletters I receive, and if I had a huge list, I would probably do a computer letter. But my list is relatively small, so I write the letters.

So what goes into my letters? It depends on the person, but I try to recall good memories, update friends and family on important events during the year, inquire on goings on with their families, and end with good wishes for the holiday. Each letter is personal.

My mom taught me the importance of the Christmas card tradition. Being in the military, we were often separated from family and friends during the holidays. Cards and notes were Mom’s way of being part of the extended family when we were not able to be home for Christmas. Her list grew with each transfer as she added new friends. Sadly, she would receive notes letting her know of the passing of a special friend. Her address book was filled with pages with names lined through. It was her way of saying “Gone, but not forgotten.” When she became too ill to write her cards, I took on the task. Sometimes I would have to ask her about the person so I could target the letter. I always made sure to get the letters completed early so she could sign them.

As we become more technology oriented, we tend to neglect the old ways. We lose touch with folks who were parts of our lives. We forget there are ties that keep us together, and memories that had impact on us. This holiday season why not reach out to those who hold special places in our hearts. Write a letter. Tuck it inside of a holiday card. The rewards are priceless.

Peanuts

Posted on by
Reply

Outtakes 220

Peanuts

By Cait Collins

I grew up with a group of kids: Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Schroder, Sally, Woodstock, Peppermint Patty, Marcy, and a dog named Snoopy My friends are the wonderful children, and dog, created by Charles Schulz. I can’t really say why the Peanuts gang has meant so much to me. Basically they are such a diverse group of personalities, it’s a wonder they get along at all. Maybe it’s because they are all a part of my personality.

Snoopy is so many characters: the World War I flying ace; Joe Cool, a scout master; a writer, an ice skating coach, and a loyal dog. He’s an actor playing all these parts. He appeals to my actor side.

Lucy, Miss Know-It-All, always ready to dish out advice and a knuckle sandwich. Okay, I don’t dole out advice and knuckle sandwiches. I just dream about doing it. She’s opinionated and pushy, but she’ll stand by her friends.

Linus is a philosopher with a security blanket. Yes, sometimes I do spout my beliefs and hopes, and dreams, and I do have my own security items. Not a blanket mind you, but a silver cross, my husband’s gold wings, photographs, and books.

Schroder and Peppermint Patty are lost in their own worlds. Schroder has his music and Peppermint Patty is into sports. Neither of them see much beyond their own interests. Don’t we all have our self-centered moments? I know I do.

Sally, sweet Sally is so much in love with her Sweet Baboo. Wasn’t first love so wonderful? But Sally is no pushover. Deprive her of “tricks or treats” and she can be a she-devil.

Woodstock never gives up. His flying skills aren’t quite there, but he keeps trying.

Marcy is practical. She sees the world and people for exactly what they are. But does she see herself with unbiased eyes.

And finally, we have our hero, Charlie Brown. I like to think of him as the eternal optimist. No matter how many times Lucy pulls the football away, or how many kites he loses to the Kite Eating Tree, or how many rocks land in his tricks or treats bag, he hopes next time things will be better. Next time he’ll get to kick that football. Next time his kite will fly high, and next year, he’ll get goodies in his bag. And maybe if he’s very lucky, he’ll get up the nerve to ask the little red-haired girl to have lunch with him and she’ll say yes.

The more I think about it, the more I realize the appeal of Peanuts is that we see ourselves in these characters. We dream, hope, mouth off, fight, and make up, and we go on. As the years passed, nothing changed. Snoopy still flies off to fight the Red Baron. Schroder sits at his piano playing Beethoven. Lucy’s psychiatrist booth is open; 5 cents please. And Charlie Brown still has eyes for the little red-haired girl. And best of all, they never grew up. They will forever be young.

Charles Schulz’s masterpiece of wit and wisdom debuted on October 2, 1950. Happy 65th Birthday, Peanuts, and thanks for the years of reading and viewing pleasure.

 

Masks

Posted on by
2

Outtakes 219

Masks

by Cait Collins

Halloween is a fun time for me. I don’t hand out treats from my apartment, but I do participate in kid centered activities. Sometime I dress up, but for the most part I’m happy to just hand out the candy.

I often wonder what makes a child decide what costume to wear. For example, does an Astrid (How to Train Your Dragon) outfit make a shy young lady feel more confident and bold?

What about the cute, quiet little girl in a devil’s costume? Is she truly a little horror or is she as sweet as she appears? The family of birds made an impression on me. I cannot imagine the time it took to stitch all those “feathers” together to make the costumes. But the real question is, why birds? Is there a sense of freedom in the idea of flying? So if we chose to go around in masks on October 31, do we also use masks the other days of the year?

A multi-faceted protagonist has numerous faces. Maybe he hides his loneliness behind a mask of indifference. His unrequited love of the school teacher is masked by an affair with the waitress in the diner. The only time he feels confident is when brokering the takeover of a struggling company. Although he is successful in business, he has no sense of fulfillment. But the most surprising mask is his need for high-risk adventure. The trick is crafting these different traits into a believable hero. The treat is when the writer makes it work.

Pick a character crafted by a favorite author. Make a list of the character’s traits and the methods the person uses to hide his flaws and the attributes he dislikes. How would you write the character?

 

Spooks

Posted on by
1

Outtakes 218

Spooks

by Cait Collins

I love the fun of Halloween. Kids and adults dressed up and pretending to be someone or something they aren’t is part of the holiday. I just don’t get the all the slasher, zombie, and thriller costumes. Whatever happened to doctors and nurses, cops and robbers, cute little witches and devils? It seems these days the more gruesome the costume, the more hefty the sales. What is the draw to being scared or grossed out?

Take books as an example. I’ve read good horror and I’ve read terrible horror. The bad novels are usually good for a laugh. In attempting to be frightening, the stories can become campy and silly. The good stuff I can’t read. Sorry, but I don’t like being frightened. I tried reading Stephen King’s IT. When I got to the description of the cellar, I had to close the book. King is so masterful with his description, he terrifies me. I could not only see the cellar, I could feel it, smell it, and taste it. That’s too real.

Think about it. What is more frightening; a zombie or a boy-next-door serial killer. I’m more frightened by reality, by something that could actually happen than fantasy characters. I couldn’t sleep after reading Helter Skelter. Charles Manson is far scarier than the Phantom of the Opera. Reality is makes good fiction because a writer has a plot and characters at hand.

I may not enjoy ghouls and goblins, but I appreciate the talent it takes to write good horror. The Stephen Kings, R. L. Steins, and Dean Koontz’s are rare and should be respected. That said; forgive me if I prefer my suspense and women’s fiction books.