Doree Anderson

The Grammar Divas graciously treated us to a 'Grammar' workshop on the 5th of February. The all day workshop at the SLC Library was awesome. And not just enjoyed by URWA members, we had several writers from the Utah League of Writers join us as well. Yeah! The audience questions seemed to be about what the editor wanted and what the writer wrote. Do you follow each 'suggestion' because the editor said to, or do you 'the writer' get to decide. Its our voice, right? This is our story and we should be able to write it our way. Sometimes it is a Grammar problem that needs fixed and sometimes it is simply the editors preference. So, as a writer, we need to weigh our options. If it fixes the line or paragraph, then you take it and say, 'whew, thanks, sounds a bucket load better.' But, if it changes the 'author's voice' then the author has to decide. There are so many ways to repair a sentence that doesn't touch the voice at all. And...

Does anyone ever say to you, "Huh? I don't get it? Maybe you see confusion printed across their faces as well!   I hear you, I just don't get it. I've read it, but....   Kids love to have their parents read to them. Why, because they might use different voices for all the characters, even act out a incident or two. This way, children could comprehend what the writer was saying. As a writer, we should make it self-explanatory. I'm an adult, I don't want my kid to have to tell me what I just read. So...Plotting your story becomes essential to your audience. Each event should show progression. Like in Science class, if you do this, this follows. If I read this happening, then.... MaryAnne shivered as her toe made initial contact with the icy water. Each step was excruciating but she would make it. The last thing she wanted Lane to think was that she was a wimp. The idea of a hot shower weaved in and out of her thoughts. Standing below the pulsing spr...

Does your character have Character? When you read a story, do you walk away with the feeling that you know the character? Is she the little girl next door, or the high school Cheerleader that you envy? I finished reading a book yesterday (YA, As You Wish) and came away from it remembering a friend of mine from when I lived in Missouri as a Junior High Student. It was such a great feeling to take a walk though my memories. I applaud the author. She did what I, as a writer, strive for; that character that you can relate to or remember. My grandson (pictured here in his grandfathers glasses and baseball cap) is a little character. His teachers tell his mother that this little four year-old is cute. He always has a funny story or says something funny that makes his teachers laugh. He gives them a reason to 'remember him.' Your characters should do the same. From the DunMiller's Mansion series, I introduce a teen (fifteen) that has been pulled away from her childhood fri...

Merry Christmas from John, Jessica, Judy and Doree Christmas Lights Tour with Lisa at the Helm. Merry Christmas from me. It was a beautiful night, last night as we rode in a carriage and enjoyed all the many twinkling lights of downtown. Temple Square boosts about the thousands of lights they start string in August, -- no kidding, every tiny bush, even up the sides of the buildings. And the huge Nativity, really highlights the true meaning of Christmas. We clip clopped around the block, with Lisa Williams-Cox (fantastic friend) and Charlie (horse debonair complete with lights and flowers in his hair) . Lisa is a fountain of information. Not just what the buildings are, but interesting incites into each one. Like...there is a wall at the LDS Conference building that is the same length as two 747 parked nose to nose? I KNOW.  It was the greatest experience for all four of us. I highly recommend that you experience downtown in a carriage (Carriage for Hire).   ...

The Ghosts of DunMuller's Mansion -  Book One - EXCUSE ME by yours truly, has been requested by another agent. Here's the fun part - I get to wait for a very long time to see if somebody will love it as much as me. That's okay, I'm well into book two: ANTE UP Good Luck - Excuse Me.

Christmas is coming up. What a wonderful time of the year - yeah right! I've never been a happy camper during this time. I didn't enjoy it a lot as a kid. Although now, being a grandparent, it is fun. Yeah, the same headaches are there. Money is always an issue and for all of our preparations, it only takes seconds for it to be over with. True. But look at the spirit. More people smile. Amazing, I know. Some people are even courteous and giving. I watched a guy I would never have pegged as a giver, actually put in some change (okay, a penny and a nickle) in a bell ringer's can. I was floored. I saw a guy count out his groceries before going up to the 15 or less isle. He still went up with more than 15, but at least he counted. The neighborhood has lights on more houses than it has ever in past. That's something, right? Mine doesn't, but this year I'm the exception. the exception being... I didn't want to fall and kill myself. I KNOW, every now and then...

Hey, let’s take a moment and ponder… We are about to dip into the last month of the year and what do we have to show for ourselves? Nothing – SAY WHAT! I sat down at my computer this morning and went through my usual routine of checking my e-mails, reading my favorite blogs and chuckling over my kitten pictures (totally the highlight of my day) and thought, “this is what I spend a lot of my time doing.” I didn’t complete a new manuscript this year; I tweaked the hell out of my old one. I’ve also been polishing a manuscript from three years ago. Oh, don’t get me wrong, I did start a new one, ooops, better make that three new ones but never got to the part where I say, whoopee, I’m addicted and can’t wait for the all important, ‘the end.’ So, lets get these resolutions for 2011 underway, shall we. 1st, I’m president of our Utah chapter of the RWA, major commitment there (). 2nd, I want to make sure that Excuse Me has the completed follow up finished, polished and queried so that others ...